Mick Potter’s Bulls squad has already started to take shape after the club today confirmed Chris Nero will leave at the end of the season.

The Aussie centre is the first of the current crop to head for the Odsal exit since Potter’s appointment as head coach for 2011 was confirmed two weeks ago.

Nero’s current deal expires in November and he has turned down the offer of an extension, despite previously suggesting that he saw his future at Bradford.

Bulls football manager Stuart Duffy said: “The club would like to thank Chris for his service and to wish him all the very best for the future.”

The 29-year-old’s departure could be the first of many over the coming months, with nine players due to come off contract at the end of the campaign.

Only Paul Sykes has put pen to paper on new terms so far, although more are expected to follow imminently.

Potter has some tough decisions ahead as he looks to mould a team capable of bouncing back from a season of struggle on the pitch.

Acting head coach Lee St Hilaire was left frustrated by his side’s failure to take advantage of their numerous chances in losing 24-22 to Catalans Dragons – an 11th straight defeat.

“When we went 22-16 ahead, I thought we were going to push on and take the game by the scruff of the neck, but we came up with an error from the kick-off,” said St Hilaire.

“Near but far – the story of our season. We came up with some good plays but the execution was poor on the end of it; poor choice and sometimes poor skill.

“We created enough chances to win three games and when we sit down and review it, it’s going to be bad for some people, very uncomfortable.”

Although St Hilaire fell short of admitting the Bulls’ play-off hopes had been ended, he agreed that top priority was addressing performances.

“I’m not sure what’s going on in the table at this moment in time – I’m not even going to have a look – we just need to get our ship in order,” he said.

“There is some edginess in the side. Having Paul Sykes back was good for us in terms of his enthusiasm but some of his execution, because he hasn’t played for a couple of weeks, wasn’t good.”