Bulls full back Stuart Spruce may hang up his boots after undergoing a second shoulder reconstruction.

The former Great Britain tourist missed last month's Challenge Cup final after sustaining the injury at Hull a week earlier and the club had already announced he could miss the rest of the season.

But it now appears the damage was much worse than first revealed and the 30-year-old may well have played his last game for the club.

Bulls chief executive Abi Ekoku said: "Stuart has reached a point in his career that every player dreads - that of having to make a decision regarding his future through injury.

"Stuart's commitment and loyalty to the Bulls is unsurpassed and he has the full support of his playing colleagues and the club in general.

"He will be given all the time that he needs to make what is the most important decision of his career."

Spruce has given superb service to the Bulls since signing from his home-town club Widnes in May, 1996 for £120,000.

He has played in 134 games for the club, scoring 67 tries.

Better news for the Bulls on the injury front is that three-quarter Nathan l McAvoy came through his comeback game with the Alliance side at Halifax last night.

McAvoy, who underwent a knee reconstruction last November, scored with his first touch of the ball when he out jumped the opposition to collect Craig McDowell's cross-field kick.

The England international spent some time in the blood-bin but returned to complete the game and the Bulls medical staff will access his progress at training today.

Generally it was a disappointing night though as the Bulls squandered a 14-0 lead to go down 22-20 - their first defeat in eight games so far this season.

The Bulls looked to have pulled the game out of the fire in the last three minutes when, after considerable Bulls pressure, Richard Moore broke through the resolute Halifax defence and sent Chris Redfearn in under the posts. Sykes' conversion made it 20-18.

But in the last minute Jamie Bloem, who proved a thorn in the Bulls side all night, put in a long kick downfield and, under no pressure, Paul Sykes slipped and allowed the Halifax winger to beat him to the touchdown. Bulls appeals for offside were waved away by the officials.

The Bulls also had tries from Simon Lewis and Rob Parker with Sykes landing two goals.

Warrington suffered another body blow in their troubled season today when Australian prop Andrew Gee was ruled out for the rest of the campaign through injury.

The former Brisbane Broncos front rower injured his left shoulder in a tackle against London Broncos at the weekend and will fly home to Australia for a shoulder reconstruction.