JIMMY Lowes has tipped Alex Mellor to bounce back and enjoy a “big future” in the game as the Bulls star begins his road to recovery.

The 20-year-old back-rower has been ruled out for up to ten weeks after suffering a medial ligament injury during last Sunday’s victory over Doncaster.

Scans revealed a medial collateral ligament tear, meaning he will be sidelined until August, but he will not have to undergo an operation.

Head coach Lowes said: “Alex is a good player with a big future in the game.

“I could see something in him straight away and sometimes you just need to give players a run four or five games rather than just one or two.

“He’s still a young bloke but he can play and he has some very good traits.

“Unfortunately he tweaked one of the ligaments in his knee, although it’s not as bad as we first thought.

“If there is any good news to take out of it, then he’s not going to be out for eight months, which is what we initially feared.

“We should hopefully get him back in time for the play-offs but it’s an opportunity for one or two players to step up now.”

Lucas Walshaw has not featured for the past six games and could now be handed his opportunity to shine.

But Dan Fleming, Vila Halafihi and Chris Ulugia will turn out for third tier side Oxford on dual reg this weekend.

“There are guys who are desperate to play and you need that within your squad,” added Lowes.

“The players understood when we started out in pre-season that we’ve got a big squad.

“They knew it would be difficult sometimes to get into the team but they've trained really hard.

“I’m pleased with the attitude of players like Lucas Walshaw, Dan Fleming and Vila Halafihi.

“These guys have been on the edge for the last couple of months but their attitude has been fantastic.

“They are doing what they need to do to get into the team – it’s just what other people are doing which is keeping them out.

“They’ve just got to keep working hard and wait for their chance.”

Ryan Shaw and Lee Gaskell will undergo head tests before Sunday’s visit of Dewsbury after being withdrawn against Doncaster last weekend.

Lowes added: “Gasky got more than just a head shot last weekend. He picked up a couple of niggles as well so we will see how he is in the next couple of days.”

Meanwhile, Bulls prop Samir Tahraoui has joined Keighley Cougars on a one-month loan deal.

The close-season signing from Whitehaven has fallen down the pecking order following the arrival of Steve Crossley and joins Adam Brook in moving to Cougar Park on loan.