JAYDEN OKUNBOR could be out for the rest of Bradford Bulls’ season due to his struggles with a bulging disc in his back.
The winger has played just four times this year, his most recent appearance coming in late May against Warrington Wolves.
Having already spent a three-month spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, Okunbor is now expected to be out for three more.
That means a battle to play again this year, with the regular season finishing on the weekend of September 12-13.
Bradford coach Kurt Haggerty explained the 29-year-old’s back issue dates to last season, when Okunbor scored 22 tries in 30 games for the then Championship side.
“I think it’s an ongoing injury from being in a part-time environment, where you can’t always get the best treatment you can for whatever reason,” said Haggerty.
“It’s flared up and got worse and worse in a full-time environment, training at a higher intensity and more difficult games. It’s caught up with him.
“It’s another injury for us and it’s not great for Jayden. We’re there to support him and hopefully get him back as quickly as we can.”
Haggerty is confident he has sufficient depth in his squad to cope, with Connor Wynne fielded alongside Ethan Ryan as their wingers in last Friday’s victory over York Knights.
“We’ve got Connor Wynne, Guy Armitage is back fit, and Luke Hooley can play in the outside backs, so we’re not short of bodies,” said Haggerty, who hosts his old side Leigh Leopards on Sunday.