of dynamo Dwyer

Bulls second-rower Bernard Dwyer is set to miss the next three weeks with a recurrence of the knee trouble which kept him on the sidelines several times last season.

The former Great Britain forward limped off at Warrington recently and missed last Friday's derby win over Halifax.

And now coach Matthew Elliott has accepted he will be without the pack dynamo for Monday's visit to Castleford, the home clash with Salford and the trip to newcomers Gateshead.

"Bernard has had some aggravation with the scar tissue following his knee injury last year and which he has had cleaned up.

"It is nothing too serious though and the rest will mean he will come back refreshed."

Dwyer's tough tackling presence will be missed but there was better news for Elliott regarding Aussie back Nick Zisti who has had a scan on his damaged knee.

"The scan showed that there is no need for surgery and it is something Nick can work his way through with the right rehabilitation. It shouldn't be a long term problem."

Elliott also spoke with Henry Paul prior to his departure for England and received reassurances about the neck injury he sustained with New Zealand and which caused so much worry.

"He said his neck was a little stiff but he had no concerns at all about being fit for Monday. "

The players, including the Paul brothers report back for training tomorrow when Elliott will also make a check on centre Scott Naylor who missed the Halifax game with a rib injury.

But Danny Peacock has made a speedy recovery from the groin injury which forced him to retire in the second half against the Blue Sox.

A strong defensive performance from the Bulls Academy side at Halifax last night gave them their fourth consecutive victory and keeps them at the top of the table.

The Bulls went behind early in the game but a try from Craig Brown and a Paul Sykes penalty pulled them level before Chris Redfearn had a good try and Paul Sykes conversion gave the Bulls a 12-4 half time lead.

The Bulls had further second half tires from Chris Langley, Sam Bibb and Jamie Todd and, with Sykes kicking three more goals, they ran out 30-10 winners.

Halifax winger Nick Pinkney has been suspended for one game and fined £250 after being put on report for stamping on Bulls youngster Leon Pryce during Friday's night's derby .

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.