Bulls chief executive Abi Ekoku today made an emotional plea to the people of Bradford: "If you care about sport in the city, then turn up to watch us face St Helens on Saturday."

Former London Broncos player Ekoku said: "If St Helens come here and win at the weekend, then it will create doubt in our minds for the Grand Final.

"But because of what has happened to the proposed stadium at Odsal, this is the year when the people of Bradford have to show how important sport is to them.

"It will help to keep the stadium issue in the limelight, and all we are asking is that the Bulls fans should bring a friend to the match.

"The World Club Challenge match against the Newcastle Knights at the McAlpine Stadium in February was a big Bradford occasion.

"Of the 21,000 fans there, about 18,000 were supporting the Bulls, and this is the kind if support we need against St Helens.

"Saints have really got their act together this season, and fans are turning up in numbers to watch them.

"A good atmosphere is being generated at Knowsley Road, and the worry is that they are going to out-shout our fans at the weekend.

"We need Saturday night to be a massive Bradford occasion, and the sheer critical mass of the fans would be a fantastic advert for the Tetley's Super League as well.

"There have been some fantastic games in the competition already this season, but Bradford Bulls v St Helens could eclipse them all."

Saints are in white-hot form having blitzed Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup semi-final at the weekend, and now face Wigan in the final at Murrayfield a week on Saturday.

The Bulls, who head the table on points difference from St Helens, will again be without Australians Michael Withers and Daniel Gartner at the weekend.

Full back Withers had a groin operation on Saturday, March 23, but Bulls head coach Brian Noble says: "Michael is likely to be out for another three weeks.

"He is only just starting his recuperative work and has just got back from a two-and-a-half week stint in Australia because it was more beneficial for him to be there than in England.

"And Daniel could well be out for another fortnight with his rib cartilage problem."

Second-row Gartner has admitted that the injury is healing, but slowly.

l The following have won a pair of tickets for the Bulls-Saints match: Adele Bowen, Odsal; Anne Miller, Farsley; and Adrian Dinsmore, Brighouse.

l A hat-trick of tries by stand-off Chris Bridge was the highlight of Bulls' 54-26 victory over Salford City Reds in the Senior Academy Championship at Odsal.

Other Bulls try-scorers were Paul Smith 2, Jamie Langley, Alex Wilkinson, Andy Smith, Michael Lyons and Rob Parker.

Paul Sykes landed seven goals, but having taken an early lead, the Bulls had to recover from 18-6 down.