Bradford Bulls have suffered another crushing injury blow after Tevita Vaikona was ruled out for a month with groin trouble.

The powerful Tongan winger, who was the club top try scorer last season following his £100,000 move from Hull, was hoping that being taken out of the firing line at Gateshead Thunder on Sunday would ease the problem.

But coach Matthew Elliott admitted today: "It doesn't seem to be getting any better and it has been decided that surgery is the best long term option.

"It looks at this stage as though we will be without him for around a month."

The news is another setback for the Bulls following centre Danny Peacock's decision to retire after sustaining more damage to his reconstructed knee at Castleford earlier this month.

Vaikona's injury is likely to mean more opportunities for teenager Leon Pryce although Nick Zisti is pressing for inclusion against reigning champions Wigan at Odsal on Saturday night.

Zisti was originally selected to face Gateshead but backed out after pulling a muscle in training on Saturday.

Elliott had also hoped that pack dynamo Bernard Dwyer would be back after missing the last four games with a knee injury but he is now expected to be out of action for a further week.

Henry Paul trained well yesterday and brother Robbie is also on the mend after illness left him under par at Gateshead.

Prop Paul Anderson is also available again after serving a two match suspension after his dismissal at Castleford.

Opponents Wigan have already ruled out former St Helens prop Brett Goldspink (knee ligaments) and speedy winger Paul Johnson (foot ligaments) who have missed the last two and five games respectively.

Coach John Monie's major problem is at stand-off though with Aussie Greg Florimo still struggling with a knee injury which has kept him out of the last two games.

Gary Connolly partnered Tony Smith at half-back in Sunday's 36-2 win over Huddersfield but lasted only 20 minutes before retiring with ankle ligament damage and is rated as Monie's biggest other worry.

Jason Robinson, Andy Farrell and Denis Betts are also on the treatment table but all expected to take their places in the side.

Salford have been accused of turning their back on English coaches as former Gold Coast boss John Harvey became the ninth Australian to take charge of a Super League outfit.

The departure of Andy Gregory seven days ago left just five of the 14 Super League clubs with Englishmen at the helm.

And one of them, Sheffield Eagles coach John Kear, today hit out Salford's decision to import another overseas coach.

"It does concern me that English coaches are not being given a chance," said Kear, who guided Sheffield to Wembley glory in the Challenge Cup final 12 months ago.

Harvey, a virtual unknown outside New South Wales, has been appointed initially to the end of the season and will take up his position with the Reds as soon as his work permit is processed.

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