Bradford Bulls have banned the use of the word "friendly" as they prepare for tomorrow's clash with revitalised Wakefield Wildcats at Odsal.

Coach Matthew Elliott has admitted the game has taken on extra significance after the Bulls were drawn out of the bag to face Huddersfield/Sheffield Giants in the Challenge Cup next Saturday in the only all-Super League clash.

"Obviously the challenge for the coaching staff is to make sure we get the right team on the park for next week and it will give us the opportunity to see what needs ironing out," said Elliott.

"While there is a small risk in only playing one pre-season game before the cup what we have to realise is that we played a lot of footy last year and we will have a lot this year too.

"We have set a goal to do well in the Challenge Cup and we will have to start performing right from the start this year so tomorrow's game is a vital one."

But Elliott insists they are in a better position this year to come out of the blocks quickly.

"Last year we have a big turnover in playing personnel. I think we had nine new players but this year we have had only three.

"That has allowed us to focus on improving the way that we play at this stage of the season. I have full confidence in myself and my coaching staff that we have covered all the core areas and it is just a matter of players adapting to the speed of the game."

Skipper Robbie Paul is also stressing the importance of the meeting.

"I would be lying if we said we don't have the cup game in the back of our minds. We want a good cup run and by that I mean we want to win the competition.

"We have to prepare for it and we have to start on Sunday."

The game will be played in four 20-minute periods and Elliott is planning to use a squad of around 19 players, using the same formation in each quarter.

Bulls: (from) Withers, Pryce, McAvoy, Brooker, Naylor, Wilkinson, R Paul, H Paul, Anderson, Harmon, Lowes, McDermott, Fielden, Smith, Forshaw, Dwyer, Boyle, Mackay, Radford, Peacock, Parker, Handford.

Wakefield: (from) Prescott, Sampson, N Law, Hughes, Maloney, Tatupu, Sodje, Kemp, Tomlinson, Goulding, Stephenson, D Marsh, Masella, Jowitt, Poching, McNamara, P March, Price, Fisher, Watene, Jackson, Field, Hudson, G Law, Holland, Ellis, Westwood.

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