In-limbo Tame Tupou will discover imminently if he still has any sort of future with the Bulls.
The former New Zealand Test winger is currently involved in a major dispute with the club after they tried to sack him and tear up his contract.
Tupou has taken Bradford to a Rugby Football League tribunal in a bid to prevent them from terminating the deal and it will rule finally on the matter next week.
The 26-year-old has not played since undergoing a knee reconstruction last June and the Bulls want to release him from the 18 months left of his contract.
Under the terms of the deal Tupou signed in June 2007, Bradford can tear up the contract if the player is unavailable for 26 weeks in a 52-week period.
The initial tribunal on Tuesday was adjourned for a week to allow the panel members to consider what constitutes ‘training’.
Tupou, who was represented at the tribunal by Leeds-based sports lawyer Richard Cramer, argued that he is able to train and is effectively not in breach of his contract.
But Bradford believe the extent of his injuries mean an effective return is not imminent.
The former Brisbane Bronco made just nine appearances due to knee and rib injuries last season and is still not considered fit to resume playing. He visted his knee surgeon last Friday and was told he could be ready to play again in “two to three weeks.”
Tupou told the T&A: “I’m just going to do what I can control and that is my rehab. Everything is looking good and is on schedule. This (tribunal) has obviously been hanging over me and I just want to get that sorted before I say anything else.”
However, given the situation it, seems certain Tupou has played his last game for the club.
He joined in the summer of 2007 as a replacement for Lesley Vainikolo, who joined Gloucester.
Tupou scored eight tries in his first ten games but failed to continue that form last year when he was blighted with that series of injuries.
The first one was suffered while on international duty with New Zealand.
Bradford, who were represented at the tribunal by chairman Peter Hood and head coach Steve McNamara, claim they were not told the extent of that injury.
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