The Bulls have named a virtually full-strength squad for Jamie Langley’s testimonial.
Eight of the club’s ten off-season arrivals are set to feature in Sunday’s pre-season opener against Halifax at Odsal.
Gareth Raynor is among those included, allowing the winger a first taste of match action since May after serving a 15-month prison sentence for his part in a printer cartridge scam.
The 32-year-old former Great Britain star had been training with the Bulls on day release before his formal release from prison on January 1.
Patrick Ah Van, Shaun Ainscough, Marc Herbert, Shad Royston and Chev Walker are also expected to take their places in a revamped back-line, while Bryn Hargreaves and Ian Sibbit will add to the resources up front.
Sunday’s clash could not have come a moment too soon for Bradford, boss Mick Potter admitting his players are champing at the bit following the postponement of the Boxing Day friendly at Castleford.
“They’ve come back from the Christmas break in better shape than I would have expected,” said Potter.
“Usually when they go off for the break they let themselves go a little bit, so it was a pleasant surprise and a real credit to the players.
“They’ve all displayed a good attitude so far, though I’m sure it won’t always be strawberries and cream.
“The players know they have to fight for places and selection will be performance-judged on a weekly basis. There’s a will within the players and more of that has been created by the internal competition.
“They are looking good but, at the same time, I don’t want to get carried away by pre-season because we understand how tough the competition is going to be this season.”
Bulls squad for Jamie Langley’s testimonial against Halifax: Danny Addy, Patrick Ah Van, Shaun Ainscough, Tom Burgess, Jason Crookes, Vinny Finigan, Bryn Hargreaves, Marc Herbert, Craig Kopczak, Jamie Langley, Heath L’Estrange, Andy Lynch, Adam O’Brien, Michael Platt, Gareth Raynor, Shad Royston, Ian Sibbit, Cain Southernwood, Chev Walker, Elliott Whitehead.
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