The Bulls are sweating on Matt Cook's fitness after the highly-rated youngster suffered a suspected fractured thumb in their opening friendly at Warrington.

The Super League champions were easily defeated 30-6 yesterday but fielded a youthful side and coach Steve McNamara gained plenty of positives.

However, the injury to 19-year-old centre Cook - tipped to make a big impact this season - was a worry.

McNamara said: "One of the reasons for this game was to look at some of the youngsters, to see whether they could hold their hands up and show Brian (Noble) they are ready to grab a spot this year.

"Matt Cook would have been a

contender last season but he had a bad knee injury at the end of the year. Now it looks as though he may have fractured his thumb.

"It could be disappointing news but we're not sure yet."

The Bulls handed debuts to winter recruits Stanley Gene and Adam Watene but only three Grand Final winners appeared.

Fourteen first-team players trained in Bradford yesterday morning, including Paul Deacon.

McNamara said of the performance: "It showed Warrington had played a game seven days ago - they had a lot more fluidity.

"We struggled to get a practice session in beforehand due to the weather and that showed but the players all had plenty of enthusiasm.

"We conceded five tries from kicks but defending kicks is not an area we have covered a great deal yet in pre-season and that has given us food for thought.

"It was a good, strong hit-out though and we got out of it exactly what we wanted."