BULLS managing director Steve Ferres believes Steve Crossley's arrival will "sharpen the focus" of all the club's prop forwards.

The return of Crossley to his home-town club means Jimmy Lowes now has a whopping eight front-rowers in his squad.

Crossley joins Adam Sidlow, Paul Clough, Epalahame Lauaki, Samir Tahraoui, Dan Fleming and Karl Davies, while rookie Sam Bates is working his way back to fitness after an ankle operation.

Ferres said the addition of Crossley represents a challenge for the rest of the club's props but that "the cream will rise to the top" as the season unfolds.

"We just felt that we needed another body in there who can get some game-time and play at a higher level," said Ferres, a pivotal figure in the Bulls' player recruitment.

"We think Steve can fit that bill. He's been a consistent performer in the past few seasons and I thought he was Castleford's best forward in the pre-season friendly against us in January.

"He's not had much game-time since then and I don't know why – that's between Castleford and Steve – but the opportunity to sign him for longer than a month made it an easy decision.

"He's going to add to the competition and at the end of the day there are positions up for grabs.

"It will definitely sharpen the focus of all the existing prop forwards – and we need big competition for places, so by signing Steve we're making sure we are strong in that area."

Crossley is set to feature in tomorrow's trip to Doncaster but Lauaki (groin) will not be risked and should be available next weekend.

Davies is fit and waiting for an opportunity for game-time and Ferres said the Bulls would soon be up to full strength in the front row.

"Karl should be playing next week, so we will have a full quota of prop forwards who are going to be competing for their places," he said.

"Lauaki is getting better every week. We're getting him to where he needs to be and I think he will make a great contribution, as will Steve Crossley.

"All our props are in position to challenge for a place. Where that goes and where that leads to depends on how they respond to the challenge that has been put in front of them.

"We've got a great team spirit and great unit. The prop forwards were all pleased to see Steve in. None of them were disappointed.

"There has been a big turn-around in players at the club since the end of last season and players throughout the team have got to prove that they can move forward with the club.

"The players who are playing now are not only playing for Championship places but potential Super League places.

"When we get to the Super Eights, we want to be as strong as we can. There will be a process between now and then whereby the cream will rise to the top.

"Not once this season have we had what we regard as our top 17 on the paddock. There have been plenty of injuries but hopefully Jimmy will be able to select his strongest side at the business end of the season."

It is understood the Bulls are now looking to strengthen their back-line following the hand injury to Chris Ulugia which has sidelined him for the next two months.

Former Bulls play-maker Jarrod Sammut is currently out of the picture at Wakefield but Ferres recently stated there were no plans to sign a half-back following Harry Siejka's ten-week injury.

Jake Mullaney is set to return tomorrow after missing the past four games with a hamstring strain.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have yet to agree a new date with Featherstone for the scheduled Championship encounter at Odsal.

The game was due to be played on Sunday, May 17 but will now be rearranged due to Rovers playing Catalans in the Challenge Cup on that weekend.