Mick Potter says the Bulls are raring to go as they gear up for tomorrow’s pre-season friendly at Dewsbury Rams.

Potter’s men were left frustrated after last Sunday’s clash at Featherstone was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

But the fixtures will now come thick and fast, with the trip to Dewsbury followed by matches at Keighley and Hull next weekend before the Super League opener at home to Catalan Dragons on Sunday, February 5.

Coach Potter will field a stronger side tomorrow than the one which lost at Castleford on Boxing Day.

New recruits Luke Gale and Adrian Purtell will make their debuts and the likes of Nick Scruton, Matt Diskin, Brett Kearney and Craig Kopczak will also get their first slice of pre-season action.

Potter said: “Last week’s postponement was frustrating but the safety of the players comes first and you can’t play on ground as hard as concrete.

“We were really looking forward to it but we’ve prepared well this week for Dewsbury and are raring to go.

“Most of the players who are fit and who didn’t play at Castleford, such as Adrian Purtell, Luke Gale and Matt Diskin, will get a game this weekend.

“Nick Scruton will also play some part, so it’s great to get back players like him and Diskin who’ve been injured and have worked hard to get back to full fitness.

“We’ll be looking for a step up in intensity as the season draws ever closer.”

The return to fitness of Diskin and Scruton after injury-ravaged campaigns last year is a boost to Potter, currently without Manase Manuokafoa, Olivier Elima and Tom Olbison.

The trio will miss the opening rounds of the season as they recover from injury but Elliot Kear is aiming to be available after a double hernia operation.

Heath L’Estrange is also battling to be passed fit for next month’s big kick-off.

The popular Australian hooker sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury against St Helens in June, ending his campaign prematurely and dealing a hammer blow to the Bulls.

Potter added: “Heath still has a bit of work to do but I’m hoping he will be ready for the first round.

“Like all the players, he’s working very, very hard to get in the best possible shape ahead of the start of the season.”