Bulls v Vikings: Teams

Denis Betts: Looking for Widnes to respond after losing to Hull KR last week

Mick Potter: Insists his players have been boosted by this week's takeover news

The Bradford Bulls will attempt to get their quest for a top-eight place back on track against the Widnes Vikings at Odsal on Sunday.

Mick Potter's side dropped out of the play-offs following a six-point deduction for going into administration, a penalty that sees them four points adrift of Hull KR.

Bradford have stumbled of late after following up their 34-16 loss to the Leeds Rhinos with a heavy 50-22 loss against the high-flying Warrington Wolves last time out.

Widnes gave a good account of themselves against Hull KR last weekend only to suffer a 32-26 defeat on a back of a remarkable 46-8 success at Salford a week earlier.

The Bulls are boosted by the return of full-back Brett Kearney and half-back Ben Jeffries, who were late withdrawals ahead of the defeat at Warrington but have recovered from injury.

Potter believes his squad have been boosted by this week's developments after Super League (Europe) Ltd bid for the beleaguered club, although he is keen to the long-term future of the club to be secured.

"The players are a bit happier," commented the Australian. "It made everyone feel that bit warmer and fuzzier about the short term. I think, if we can pull through, the club will be stronger coming out the other end."

Changes

Widnes are without ex-Leeds and Wigan prop Ben Cross and stand-off Joe Mellor, who were injured in the home defeat by Hull KR, but captain Jon Clarke and full-back Cameron Phelps are poised to return to action.

Back rower Frank Winterstein admits Denis Betts' squad are hurting in the wake of their home loss to the Robins: "Obviously, we were all bitterly disappointed with last weekend's result against Hull KR.

"Denis sat us down the day after the game and we looked at some of the good things we did and he also pointed out a number of bad things and old habits we had slipped back into and we're certainly keen to address those issues this weekend against Bradford.

"Throughout the Super League competition, every team has at least 3 or 4 key men and Bradford have plenty right across the park."

Bradford: Ainscough, Scruton, Lulia, Whitehead, Addy, Burgess, Jeffries, C. Walker, Hargreaves, Olbison, L'Estrange, Pryce, Platt, Sammut, Gale, Langley, Kearney, Kopczak, Manuokafoa.

Widnes: Ah Van, Allen, Cahill, Clarke, Craven, Davies, Dean, Gerrard, Haggerty, Gore, Hanbury, Isa, J. Kite, McShane, Marsh, Owens, Phelps, Pickersgill, Winterstein.

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