Bradford Bulls would like to make rampaging prop Harvey Howard a permanent fixture at Odsal once his short-term deal ends.

But chairman Chris Caisley admits they are very much in the hands of his Australian club Wests where he still has two-years to run on his contract.

"He is certainly starting to look the part and we will watch the situation closely but the ball is very much in Wests' court," he said.

The position could change dramatically if Wests re-open merger talks with Canterbury but they broke down recently and at this stage the Sydney-based Magpies expect to be part of the NRL competition next season.

Howard is happy to return to the club where he has a high regard for coach Tommy Raudonikis but there are also doubts about the former Test half-back's future after Wests picked up the wooden spoon with just four wins in 24 games.

Howard has made a big impression in his three games for the Bulls so far highlighted by a storming show in Sunday's win over Warrington.

He is expected to keep his place in the starting line-up at Wigan on Sunday when the Bulls will choose from the squad which produced it's best performance for weeks against the Wolves.

Coach Matthew Elliott hopes his players will benefit from a rest in the early part of the week.

"There were some guys who just looked like they could do with a break," he said. "With the game being on Sunday it gives us three days full preparation and the players will feel better for the rest."

Meanwhile London coach Tony Currie admits his side need divine intervention to stand a chance of reaching the Super League play-offs ahead of the Bulls.

The Broncos must beat St Helens at The Stoop tonight and win at Castleford next week, and hope the Bulls fail to take two points from either of their last two games - at Wigan Central Park and against Salford at Odsal seven days later.

Currie, whose side lost 58-6 at St Helens in June, said: "There's a lot of feeling in our camp for the game. We got our bums kicked by them last time up at Saints and we've got to bounce back."

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