Matthew Elliott is calling on his Bradford Bulls side to finish the season in style tomorrow to boost confidence ahead of the Grand Final play-offs.

The Bulls entertain Salford Reds at Odsal cheered by the news that talented teenager Stuart Fielden is fit to return to the side, while 16-year-old Leon Pryce is expected to become the youngest Bradford player to make his debut.

The youngster has been receiving rave reviews in the Academy side and could earn a place on the bench, while Robbie Paul and Paul Deacon are vying for the hooking role due to James Lowes and Bernard Dwyer being ruled out.

The Bulls secured fifth place last weekend, despite their heavy defeat at Wigan, and will face St Helens in the first play-off semi-final next Friday.

And coach Elliott knows a good win against the Reds will allow his side to travel to Knowsley Road full of confidence.

"This game is like being on a springboard. How we hit the board will determine how we go into the play-offs.

"If we hit the end of the board hard then we will kick on to greater things, but we cannot afford to flop off the end and land in the water with a plop.

"What we need to do is to make sure that this week's game is a significant one for us heading into the semi-finals."

Mike Forshaw will face a late fitness test, and that means Elliott will not be able to name his team until after training today.

He said: "We have so many players on the injury list that I haven't a clue who will be able to start. However, I am very confident that whoever I put out will be more than capable of doing the job for us."

The match will also be the final Odsal appearance of both skipper Graeme Brad-ley and Abi Ekoku, who are retiring from the game at the end of the season.

Elliott said: "Graeme has been very im-portant to this club over the last four years. He has been a big influence on the players and he will be greatly missed.

"Abi Ekoku has shown that he has what it takes to make a rugby league player, and I am sure he will attain his goal of making the 2000 Olympic team now that he has decided to return to athletics.

"I hope that the fans will give them a big reception. They were magnificent last week at Wigan.

"They have been tremendous all season and I hope they come in great numbers to show, not only Graeme and Abi how much they think of them, but the rest of the team as well."

Centre Nathan McAvoy will face his old club tomorrow, and said: "I haven't seen the Salford lads since I left so it will be a good chance to see them both professionally and socially.

"They have struggled somewhat this season, but I feel that is because of the structure that they are involved in, rather than their playing strength.

"They have some very good players who we will need to watch closely. Gary Broad-bent is a lively player who likes to come into the line, given half a chance.

"He is definitely a game-breaker, as is Steve Blakeley. He is very fast off the mark and and if you give him any room he will get through. Darren Rogers is a great try-scorer and is very fast, so we must close him down.

"We have a few injuries this week, but I am sure that we can beat the Reds. That will give us the lift we need to go to St Helens next week."

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