Bradford Bulls have named Ryan Sutton and Joe Mellor in their 21-man squad for Friday night's match against York Knights at Odsal after both players returned to training this week. Ethan Ryan, Guy Armitage and Ebon Scurr also came back into the squad as Bradford prepared to welcome one of the Championship's promoted sides to West Yorkshire.
The return of Sutton and Mellor gives Bradford a timely lift, but the group is still not at full strength. Both had been unavailable while the Bulls managed their build-up to a fixture that comes with more weight because of where the club has started the season at home, winning four of their six matches at Odsal.
For supporters searching for team news before Friday night Super League action, the key change is simple: Sutton and Mellor are back in the frame, and so are Ryan, Armitage and Scurr. That leaves Bradford with more depth for a match that pits two promoted teams against each other, with York arriving under pressure of their own after an injury-hit spell.
The bigger question now is who makes the final matchday line-up. Bradford have the squad in place, but not a fully fit one, and that matters against a York side that is also dealing with disruptions after Paul McShane dropped out injured while Paul Vaughan, Liam Harris and Jordan Thompson returned. Harvey Reynolds was added on loan and Will Roberts dropped out, leaving both clubs to wait on the last call before kickoff.
Bradford's immediate task is to turn the squad news into a result at home, where they have already done enough to show Odsal can be a difficult place to visit. If Sutton and Mellor are ready to take their places, the Bulls go into Friday with more options and a clearer path to another statement win.
