Fans' favourite Leon Pryce has to make do with a place on the bench as Bulls coach Matthew Elliott rewards his back-up squad for their patience at the McAlpine Stadium tomorrow.

But Elliott stressed: "It's no reflection on Leon and certainly not a major drama.

"There are just players like Tevita Vaikona and Justin Brooker who deserve their chance. I am certainly well aware of Leon's talent and I still expect him to play a major role this season."

Pryce has been a regular on the wing since ousting Aussie Nick Zisti from the side last season and scooped Super League's young-player-of-the-year aw-ard.

But the 18-year-old admitted recently he was not completely happy with his form so far this term which has seen him go five games without a try since a double against the Giants on the opening day of the season.

The chance to make an impact off the bench against Huddersfield-Sheffield tomorrow may just be the confidence boost he needs while Vaikona and Brooker deserve the chance to start games in their favoured positions.

Brooker has scored three tries in two outings so far on the wing, including a dazzling effort off the bench in last week's cup semi-final, but he is essentially a centre.

Vaikona missed the early weeks of the season with a hand injury. Although he had a substitute outing in the Super League clash with Warrington a fortnight ago he was omitted last week and will be keen to grab his chance as the countdown to Murrayfield begins.

Aussie back-rower David Boyle, another semi-final absentee, also gets a run in place of Mike Forshaw who rests an injured hamstring.

Michael Withers deputises at full-back for Stuart Spruce (dead leg) and Lee Radford returns on the bench after missing the last two matches.

Elliott has spelled out the need to put the cup final to the back of the players' minds but admitted: "This game will tell us whether we are going to be able to do that.

"We have a month before we play arguably our most important game of the season but for me the next game is always the most important one. We have some special challenges coming up over the next couple of months.

"We have two challenges this week - the Giants and ourselves."

e-mail: Nigel.Askham@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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