A WIN over Warrington Wolves could see Bradford Bulls in opening up vital breathing room in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.

Whilst Warrington are flying high in fourth, Bradford are some 16 points further back in twelfth, two points behind Toulouse, York and Castleford (all on 14).

Though the Bulls are still down on numbers – with Kurt Haggerty only able to name a 20-man squad – they are boosted by the return of playmaker Jayden Nikorima, who missed last week’s loss to Hull KR with a shoulder injury.

Leon Ruan also comes back into the squad, with Guy Armitage – who is likely to have played his last match for Bradford after injuring his hamstring against the Robins – and Phoenix Steinwide, both dropping out.

Sam Burgess makes three changes to his Warrington squad after last week’s win at Castleford.

Outside back Josh Thewlis is set to play his first game in a month after hernia surgery, with James Bentley and Kelepi Tanginoa returning from concussion protocols and a knock to the knee respectively.

Prop Luke Thomas – who had become a Warrington regular – misses out, alongside young forwards Ewan Smith and Charlie McKler.

SQUADS

Bulls: 1 Caleb Aekins, 5 Ethan Ryan, 6 Jayden Nikorima, 8 Ryan Sutton, 9 Andy Ackers, 10 Loghan Lewis, 12 Zac Fulton, 13 Joe Mellor, 16 Ebon Scurr, 19 Will Gardiner, 22 Luke Hooley, 23 Connor Wynne, 25 Eliot Peposhi, 27 Alfie Leake, 28 Jamie Gill, 30 Leon Ruan, 32 Chris Atkin, 36 Harvey Ward, 38 Riley Dean, 39 Thomas Doyle

Ins: 6 Jayden Nikorima, 30 Leon Ruan
Outs: 24 Guy Armitage, 34 Phoenix Steinwede

Wolves: 1 Cai Taylor-Wray, 2 Josh Thewlis, 3 Toby King, 4 Albert Hopoate, 5 Matty Ashton, 7 Marc Sneyd, 9 Danny Walker, 10 James Harrison, 11 Adam Holroyd, 13 Ben Currie, 14 Sam Powell, 15 Toafofoa Sipley, 16 Liam Byrne, 17 Jordy Crowther, 18 Ewan Irwin, 19 Leon Hayes, 20 James Bentley, 22 Joe Philbin, 26 Josh Smith, 34 Kelepi Tanginoa 35 Lachlan Webster

Ins: 2 Josh Thewlis, 20 James Bentley, 34 Kelepi Tanginoa
Outs: 21 Luke Thomas, 32 Ewan Smith, 36 Charlie McKler

Referee: Aaron Moore

STATS

Last ten meetings:
Warrington 26, Bradford 12 (SLR12, 24/5/26)
Warrington 54, Bradford 6 (CCR5, 21/4/18)
Warrington 50, Bradford 24 (SLR18, 29/6/14)
Bradford 10, Warrington 46 (CCQF, 8/6/14)
Bradford 34, Warrington 28 (SLR11, 4/5/14)
Bradford 12, Warrington 26 (SLR20, 30/6/13)
Warrington 32, Bradford 4 (SLR13, 28/4/13)
Warrington 50, Bradford 22 (SLR22, 29/7/12)
Warrington 32, Bradford 16 (CCR5, 28/4/12)
Bradford 10, Warrington 23 (SLR5, 3/3/12)

Super League summary
Bradford won 23 (includes win in 2006 play-offs)
Warrington won 19
1 draw
Bradford highest score: 84-12 (A, 2001) (also widest margin)
Warrington highest score: 64-6 (H, 2011) (also widest margin)