Bradford Bulls will welcome back two overseas outside backs on Saturday when they play Wigan Warriors, whilst a half-back who has not played since round one is also likely to return.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday afternoon, Kurt Haggerty confirmed that his side could look very different when they host Wigan on the weekend, with at least four bodies back and potentially a fifth.
The Bulls boss said: “It’ll look a little bit different. We’ll have Waqa Blake back, Jayden Okunbor, Joe Keyes and I’ll find out today around 3 pm if Dan Russell’s back as well. There’s some bodies back in there.”
Bradford have also since been confirmed that Phoenix Steinwede will return after passing through his HIA return to play protocols, meaning Dan Russell, who suffered a bleed behind his eye, could become a fifth returnee for the Bulls.
He will only return if scans on his eye show that the bleed is gone, with Bradford understandably being wary around a rushed return for the second-rower.
With so many bodies back in training, Haggerty admitted: “We kind of don’t know what to do, we’re not used to it. It’s thrown us off a little bit. We’ve had the ability to do a bit more training and a few more bodies, so yeah, it really helps.
“It’s nice to see Okunbor back in there and Waqa has put his hand up to play, so yeah, it’s made things look a little bit different this week for preparation.”
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Okunbor, who last played in round 12, will return following issues with a bulging disc in his back, with the outside back potentially set to make just his fourth Super League appearance of the season.
On the other edge, Waqa Blake is set to return early after previously being ruled out for the season on account of a leg injury. Speaking on what it will mean to have those two experienced campaigners and specialist centres back, Haggerty said: Okunbor won’t have the reps that Waqa has had in the system, so again they have to learn in a new system, but they’ve got slightly more experience than the boys who’ve been playing there in the last few weeks. I’m certainly hoping they come in and stiffen us up a little bit on the edge.”
That pair could also get a lot more service as Joe Keyes will return following a back injury that has ruled him out since the round one clash against Hull FC.
Despite the playmaker being set to depart at the end of the year, Haggerty admitted: “I’m really happy he’s got himself back fit, he’s had a horrendous time out, he’s completed his first full team contact session today so he’s ready to play.”
Chris Atkin could also play in the halves despite concerns over his arm with Haggerty confirming that a scan showed no fracture, with the ex-Salford man set to play through the pain.
That will be crucial seen as star man Jayden Nikorima had his season-ending quad injury confirmed, with Haggerty adding: “I think he takes us to ten players out for the season.”
Even with so many bodies out, Haggerty remained steadfast in the fact the club will not use loans: “I try not to loan players when we’re down to the bare bones so I certainly won’t be bringing in more players than when we’ve got bodies fit.”
That means Thomas Doyle will not play after featuring in recent weeks, though it has been confirmed that he’s been released by Wakefield Trinity, thus freeing up a potential permanent signing for Bradford or another club.
