In-form Lee Gaskell cannot wait to face his old club St Helens this weekend as he roared: “Bring it on!”
The Bulls star is in red-hot form and orchestrated the 34-28 win over Warrington with a man-of-the-match display which included three assists.
Head coach Francis Cummins has switched Gaskell from stand-off to full back in the past two games and the Bulls have reaped the benefits.
After a fine display in the Challenge Cup win over Catalan, the rangy 23-year-old created tries for Jamie Foster, Adrian Purtell and Elliot Kear against Warrington.
Gaskell said: “Playing full back gives you a bit of freedom to create things and gives me that extra space to play.
“I feel my positional play was a lot better against Warrington than it had been the week before against Catalan, so that’s pleasing.
“I’ve played full back previously and I’m really looking forward to playing against St Helens now.”
Gaskell was born and bred in St Helens and spent his formative years on the books at Knowsley Road.
But he was sent out on loan to Salford last season and joined Bradford ahead of the 2014 campaign on a two-year deal.
Gaskell said: “I was at Saints from the age of about nine or ten. I played against them once last season for Salford and it was fantastic.
“I came through the ranks there and it’s amazing how many young players they have brought through and you can see that in their side at present.
“I still have a lot of friends down there and it’s my hometown club but it just makes me more determined to do well against them.
“Coming to Bradford was a massive change for me but it came at the right time and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it so far. Long may that continue.”
Sunday’s clash, which will see Cummins’ troops aim for a third straight win, will be a special occasion for Gaskell and team-mate Foster, who also joined the Bulls from St Helens.
Gaskell admitted: “I supported Saints since I was a little boy and still look out for their results but I’m a Bradford player now and that’s my only focus.
“I go into every game wanting the best for the Bulls and that’s what I’ll be doing on Sunday.
“We got a massive high after beating Catalan and to then do it again the week after against Warrington has given us an even greater buzz.”
Foster, meanwhile, had been dropped from the side to face Warrington before a late injury to Luke George saw him promoted back into the starting line-up.
The winger weighed in with a try and five goals, much to Gaskell’s delight.
He said: “To be told you’re not playing and then put in a performance like that shows you the type of character Jamie is and how professional he is. Credit to him for that.”
Meanwhile, Bulls owner Marc Green has paid tribute to supporters for their backing during Sunday’s win over Warrington and has urged them to turn out in greater numbers against St Helens this weekend.
He said: “I thought last week against Catalan was the best performance of the season but the Warrington display surpassed that beyond all expectations.
“I called on the fans to come and get behind the team and they were phenomenal on Sunday.
“For the 6,000-plus who turned out, I hope that they can see everything that we are trying to do with the club.
“I hope they have had value for money and can start to believe again. It would be great to get a bigger crowd and even greater atmosphere against St Helens now.”
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