Robbie Paul is in a desperate race against time to be fit for tomorrow's Homecoming clash with Wakefield.

The talismanic Bulls skipper has been fighting a neck injury all week, leaving coach Brian Noble unable to name a side until just an hour before kick-off.

"We are going to give Robbie as long as possible," said Noble, who is also without Michael Withers and Jamie Peacock for the first home game of Super League VIII.

"It is 50-50 at the moment and we will make a decision tomorrow. We are going to decide at the last possible occasion."

Noble has until an hour before kick-off to name his squad and is expected to use every available minute to give the Kiwi international a chance to recover.

Paul, who is frantic to be playing in the emotional Odsal return, picked up the injury in a first-half tackle against Hunslet during last week's 82-0 destruction of the National League Division Two side.

He has had a variety of treatments all week to try and shake off the problem ahead of the important clash.

"I am desperate to play in this one," said Paul, who has been hit with neck problems before, missing the Super League launch last month also with a stiff neck.

"Coming back to Odsal is a very big occasion for the club and I have done everything possible to be ready for the game."

If Paul were to miss out, it is expected Karl Pratt would continue his utility role and come in at stand-off.

Veteran Jimmy Lowes has shaken off an ankle injury and returns at hooker, while prop Paul Anderson has recovered from a dead leg that kept him away from training earlier in the week.

Despite all the emotion of the clash, veteran Mike Forshaw believes the players will remain focus and concentrate on the job in hand - winning two vital Super League points.

"It is a very big occasion and we all know how much moving back to Odsal means to the fans," said Forshaw.

"But we are professional enough to keep our minds on just getting the two points."