Bradford Bulls coach John Kear (pictured) says the dual-registration link with Hull FC is working for his squad, even though they have yet to take a player from the Black and Whites.
Kear kept with the same squad that pushed London close in their opening fixture for Sunday’s game at York City Knights, although that fixture fell victim to Storm Ciara and was postponed.
Having not been offered first-team players from Hull in round one, he was offered some this weekend but chose not to use them.
Kear explained: “We were offered players but we decided that the best thing was to reward our own players for their commitment, attitude and execution against London.
“We wanted to say ‘You’ve got the shirt, you keep playing that way and we won’t use anybody’.
“And although we haven’t used anybody yet, in a strange way it’s working because it’s acting as an incentive to our players.
“It provides competition every week and they know that there are quality players waiting that Lee Radford wants to get some game time for.
“Any dual-registration link has to be based upon a good relationship between the head coaches and I’ve got that with Lee. I’m quite at ease with everything that’s happened so far.”
Prop Sam Barlow has undergone surgery on his wrist and will now spend four weeks in a plaster cast before starting his rehabilitation.
George Flanagan is available for this weekend’s clash with Featherstone after having completed an eight-match suspension.
Kear added: “Once Sam is out of plaster it will be a matter of getting the mobility and power back in his wrist, then he can look to play again quite soon after.
“George will add further competition for places and that just leaves Connor Farrell, who should be back around mid-April time.”
Last week the club confirmed, via its ‘Ask the Bulls’ feature online, that they are close to appointing a new chief executive but they have no immediate plans to add to their board of directors.
