John Bateman believes the Bulls must beat St Helens on Sunday as they bid to get their play-off challenge back on track.

Francis Cummins’ men slipped to their fifth defeat in six Super League outings at Hull KR, and the trip to Langtree Park has taken on increased significance.

Bateman and Jarrod Sammut suffered 'dead legs' at Craven Park, and Chev Walker was due to undergo a scan yesterday after picking up a knee injury.

The trio will be assessed ahead of this weekend’s clash, and Bateman said: “St Helens are a team around us in the table and these are the sort of games we should be winning.

“Against Hull KR we just didn’t do the right things and they capitalised on the mistakes that we made.

“We definitely have to beat Saints this week if we’re going to get anywhere this year.”

Bateman sustained his injury in the early stages of Sunday’s 28-18 reverse at Craven Park.

The home-grown back-rower has been hit by a number of niggling injuries following his recovery from a shoulder reconstruction during the off-season.

He said: “I took the knock in the first 15 minutes and I couldn’t run really.

“It’s annoying because I just want to string a few games together. I’ll see how it is later in the week and will hopefully be okay.”

Cummins could be boosted by the return of Adrian Purtell and loanee Jacob Fairbank after they missed the Hull KR match with rib and calf injuries respectively.