Rising star Paul Deacon won't be trying to impersonate Shaun Edwards at Odsal tomorrow night.

The teenager is handed his Bulls debut against Huddersfield Giants after the Great Britain ace's shock departure but says: "I know that it is going to be tough trying to fill the shoes of Shaun Edwards so I won't be trying to do that. I will just play my own game.

"I have had a lot of good things said about me in the last few weeks and now it is up to me to prove that they are not just words.

"I have been training with the first team for the last few weeks and the players have been really helpful. I am just looking forward to getting on the pitch."

Coach Matthew Elliott admits it has been a traumatic week but insists: "We can sit back and listen to the critics telling us the bubble has burst or we can do something positive about it.

"I think that the players have got that kind of mentality and they will ensure they do something about it.

"I suppose we have put our heads on the chopping block by saying we are going to put things right. But the loyal people who support this club deserve better and we are the only ones who can do anything about it."

Matt Calland remains the major injury doubt with hamstring trouble and Elliott will not confirm his side until later today.

Aussie utility back Craig Weston is the latest Giants casualty having pulled out with groin trouble so former Saints winger Danny Arnold deputises at full-back.

One time Bulls target Neil Harmon, an ever-present this term, has a dislocated finger while Tony Bowes may have to miss the rest of the season after suffering crucial knee ligament damage in the defeat by Hull last week.

Aussie veteran Phil Veivers will take one place on the bench with the others yet to be decided, although coach Garry Schofield could include himself.

The Bulls Academy side meet Featherstone Rovers in the curtain-raiser at 3.25pm.

Bulls: (from) Spruce, Ekoku, Bradley, Vaikona, Calland, Hodgson, Paul, Deacon, Donougher, Lowes, Reihana, Dwyer, Forshaw, McNamara, Crouthers, Medley, Fielden, Graham, Knox, Medley.

Huddersfield: Arnold; Hanger, Cook, King, Cheetham; Orr, Booth; Wittenberg, Russell, Field, Berry, Richards, Sturm. Subs: (from) Veivers, Schofield, Burns, Hudson, Jackson, Belle

Referee: Steve Presley (Castleford).

l Former Warrington ace Iestyn Harris returns to his old stamping ground of Wilderspool with Leeds Rhinos tomorrow.

And veteran forward Paul Forber looks set to face his former St Helens team-mates after being recalled to the Salford line-up.

Forber has recovered from a damaged shoulder and takes the place of Joe Faimalo, who is ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in last Sunday's 11-10 victory over Bradford.

Forber said: "I've never won at Knowsley Road since joining Salford and I was determined to be fit for this clash. I always enjoy going back."

Wigan scrum-half Tony Smith ends a four-match absence with a knee injury at his old club Castleford, who will give a fitness test to ex-Wigan centre Barrie-Jon Mather.

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