BULLS head coach Mark Dunning has lauded prop Jordan Baldwinson, and handed him a well-deserved promotion.

Baldwinson is set to play a key role at home to Batley in the Betfred Championship on Sunday, having shone in the win at Halifax on Easter Monday and captained Bradford in the Challenge Cup the week before.

Dunning said: “Jordan wasn’t part of our leadership group at the start of the season, but he’s been added to it now because of his actions in the last couple of months.

“He was deservedly captain against Midlands Hurricanes because of that.

“Bodene Thompson wore the armband against Halifax, but Jordan’s actions on Monday night were those of a captain anyway.”

Asked if Monday was the proudest he had been of his team all season, given injury-hit Bulls had their backs against the wall with only 12 players on the field by the end, Dunning said: “I’m always proud of this team.

“That includes the games at York and Keighley, even though I obviously wasn’t happy with the outcome of those.

“They make me proud every day with the work they put in.

“At Fax in particular, the players were really committed and there was a real spirit in the group.

“They showed how much they care about this club and I still think they can do even better than that.”

It was a first away win and a first TV triumph of the season for Bulls, but Dunning insisted: “I don’t see either aspect as a monkey off my back, though admittedly I don’t think we like the TV cameras.

“People tried to create a drama out of us losing our first three away games, but there was no drama for us at the club.

“Last year we were far better on the road than we were at home, and now we’ve turned that on its head, people have moaned about our away form instead.

“Regardless, we knew we had to be good to get the win at Fax and we were.”

Ben Blackmore, Billy Jowitt and Bodene Thompson were all struggling late on at The Shay, but Dunning expects the trio to be available for Batley.

Joe Arundel is expected to be out for a couple of weeks after his injury in that game, while David Foggin-Johnston may make a quicker-than-expected return.

New loan signing Rob Butler was on compassionate leave on Easter Monday due to a family issue but should be in the squad to face Batley, while a nerve problem in Chester Butler’s hamstring ruled him out at Halifax and means he is 50/50 for this weekend.

Dunning is hopeful of skipper Michael Lawrence being fit after the international break at the end of this month.