TOM Olbison believes Bulls team-mate Lee Gaskell will be one of the most influential players in the Championship next season.

Gaskell snubbed interest from Super League clubs to stay loyal to the Bulls following last year’s relegation.

The former St Helens stand-off enjoyed a fine run of form towards the end of the 2014 campaign, helping to orchestrate three successive wins against Wigan, Leeds and Hull FC.

He also scored a hat-trick in a defeat at Castleford in August and Olbison is delighted to have him on board again this year.

The second-rower said: “Gasky is a class player and you can’t take anything away from the lad.

“No matter what situation you’re in, or where you are on the field, he’s one of those players who can just pull something out of the bag for you.

“There are a lot of good players in the Championship but Gasky will be right up there, that’s for sure.”

The 30-strong squad that Jimmy Lowes has assembled has encouraged hopes that Bradford can make an immediate return to Super League.

Olbison said there had been an increased intensity since Lowes took the reins last June.

He added: “I’m not for one minute going to say we’re going to walk it next season but if we all pull together and get our attitude right then we will definitely be a force.

“You look at the amount of lads who have stayed and the number of new players we’ve brought in, and it’s encouraging.

“No disrespect to Franny (Cummins) and Lee (St Hilaire) who were here before but things just upped a bit after Jimmy came in.

“I wouldn’t say discipline but probably more attitude and doing things a bit quicker. Jimmy has definitely lifted the intensity in that respect.”