JOHN Kear reckons new signings Alex Brown and Dalton Grant will quickly become firm favourites with the Odsal faithful.

Jamaican international Brown checked in on a one-year deal to follow Grant's arrival earlier in the week as the new Bulls coach stocked up on wingers.

Kear has welcomed the added competition out wide from two players he knows well – and is confident the fans will love them.

He said: "I'm certain they will both be crowd favourites. They are two talented individuals.

"They complement Ethan Ryan and we've got youngsters from the academy as well who are pushing. I feel there is good competition for places there.

"It was a pretty obvious one. I am giving first opportunities to the lads already there but we're down on wingers and full backs.

"Ethan is putting his hand up to play full back – but he's also an outstanding winger. That bit of versatility he's got is excellent.

"The back three, both wingers and full back, are absolutely essential now for success at any level of rugby league and I'm delighted with Dalton and Alex."

Brown had a spell in Super League with Hull KR but has spent most of his career with Batley, where he played under Kear. He has also played internationally alongside new team-mates Ross Peltier and Jamel Goodall with the Reggae Warriors.

Kear said: "Alex is a big fella, carries the ball really well in yardage and he can finish. He's an established Championship player.

"The challenge for us is to get out of League One and if you've got Championship players, you've got a fair chance of doing that.

"Once both Dalton and Alex saw the training facilities and we spoke to them about the potential of season-ticket sales, they realised what a club it is.

"Dalton, in particular, was saying the level of interest in rugby league is unbelievable compared to playing at London. He'll enjoy playing in front of the Bulls crowd."

Brown was not signed in time to register to play on Boxing Day but Odsal will get its first glimpse of Grant in Bulls colours against Halifax.

Grant's season with the Broncos was ravaged by injury but Kear, having coached the 27-year-old for Wales during the World Cup, insists that is behind him.

"Dalton was plagued by injuries last year but he trained a month with me in the World Cup and played in two games, so I'm pretty certain he's over that now," said the Bradford chief.

"The good thing about Bradford having a Super League infrastructure, there was a very thorough medical and screening with both players. I don't see that as an issue at all.

"It sounds daft, because he's a Welsh lad, but he's been looking to come back up north. He enjoyed his time particularly at Dewsbury, which is when I felt he played his best rugby.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Dalton on Boxing Day – and Alex in our next trial game against Sheffield."

Meanwhile, former Bulls back-rower Brandan Wilkinson will be up against his new club in League One after signing for Doncaster.

The Scottish international, who played twice in the World Cup, has joined the Dons on a one-year deal after not being offered a contract at Odsal.

Keepmoat head coach Richard Horne said: "When we were notified that Brandan didn't have a club for the coming season, we jumped at the chance to get him on board."