Cummins looking to positive future

Press Association

Bradford coach Francis Cummins is starting to look confidently to the future after gaining positive news on the club's bid to secure new owners and bolstering his playing squad.

Rescue talks are continuing between administrators and the Rugby Football League, and Cummins is hopeful of a breakthrough before the end of the week.

The Bulls could be off the bottom of the Super League table by then if they win at Hull on Friday night, thereby wiping out the six points they were docked for going into administration, and their hopes of gaining a third successive win have been boosted by the arrival of another player on loan.

Wigan forward Greg Burke, 21, has joined Bradford on a month's loan and goes straight into their team for the trip to the KC Stadium, along with Leeds stand-off Liam Sutcliffe, 19, who signed on similar terms on Tuesday.

They take the number of loan signings allowed to the maximum five - the Bulls already have on their books Danny Bridge, James Saltonstall (both Warrington) and Anthony Mullally (Huddersfield) - which has helped offset the departure of Garreth Carvell, Nick Scruton and Jarrod Sammut, who all left during the club's financial crisis.

Cummins admits the club remain vulnerable to what he has termed "vultures" but is hoping a speedy resolution of the off-field troubles can pave the way for a more stable future:

Liam Sutcliffe Credit: Press Association

Although Bradford remain in "special measures", they are permitted to make loan signings as long as they can prove they have the cash flow to fund them and Cummins is thrilled with his latest additions.

Sutcliffe played in Leeds' opening game of the season and was on stand-by in Perpignan last Friday for injury concern Kevin Sinfield while Burke made his 18th senior appearance for Wigan against Wakefield last Sunday .

Cummins said:

Garreth Carvell won't be fit to play against his old club Credit: Press Association

Meanwhile, Hull will give former Wigan forward Chris Tuson his debut against the Bulls after recovering from a neck injury.

Front rower Liam Watts will also make his first appearance of the season but Carvell is denied a reunion with his former team-mates after failing to recover from an ankle injury.