Bulls coach Matthew Elliott depleted squad was stretched to the limits today as influential hooker James Lowes began a two match ban.

Seven senior players are now on the sidelines and the resulting re-shuffle for Sunday's vital battle with struggling Salford at The Willows could spark a debut for teenager Paul Deacon as well as another chance for Academy team mate Stuart Fielden.

Lowes' ban and £250 fine follows his dismissal for verbally abusing referee Stuart Cummings in last Friday's defeat by Wigan.

It is another bitter blow for the Bulls whose coaching staff were quietly confident of having last year's Man of Steel available but Elliott was hoping for some consolation today with confirmation that Shaun Edwards is fit to return after a sternum injury.

The Great Britain ace trained with Elliott's depleted squad yesterday and the coach was much more happy about his prospects.

"It looks like he will be OK and that will be a big boost for us especially with players so thin on the ground.

"The position has eased a little with the injuries from earlier in the week and I might even have some choices to make," he said.

Winger Andy Hodgson has recovered well from the ankle injury which forced him to retire just minutes into his first start of the season a week ago and is expected to play but centre Matt Calland will have a final chance to prove his fitness at training today.

"Matt has been trying to convince me he's OK but I need to see him going flat out today," said Elliott.

"We are in a position now where we can't afford to go into games with players who are down on fitness."

The absence of Brian McDermott (cartilage) and Sonny Nickle (neck) will ensure another chance for Fielden who impressed so much on his senior debut last week.

As reported in later editions yesterday the Bulls have laughed off reports of a £250,000 offer for Wigan starlet Lee Gilmour.

Bulls chairman Chris Caisley said: "We have enquired about the player but the figures being talked about are way off the mark."

Bradford pair Paul Cornforth (Clayton) and Nigel Halmshaw (West Bowling) have been named in BARLA's Great Britain Lions side to face North Queensland Aboriginals in Australia tomorrow in the opening match of the tour.

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