Bulls v Rhinos: Teams
Bradford captain Paul Deacon will miss the Good Friday clash with Leeds after undergoing an exploratory knee operation.
Last Updated: 10/04/09 11:33am
Bradford captain Paul Deacon will miss the Good Friday clash with the reigning engage Super League champions after undergoing an exploratory knee operation.
The former Great Britain scrum-half had surgery over Christmas but has continued to be hampered by the problem.
Coach Steve McNamara said: "The surgeon has had a look inside and hopefully it's just some more cartilage that needs removing."
Deacon appears certain to miss the Easter Monday trip to Wakefield and possibly the home game against Warrington on Friday week.
James Donaldson is added to the squad but Glenn Morrison, David Solomona and Wayne Godwin remain out.
Rhinos will be able to call on the services of prop Luke Burgess after he successfully appealed against a one-match ban.
Burgess picked up the suspension and a £300 fine for a reckless high tackle during the Challenge Cup defeat to St Helens, but argued that the severity of the punishment was too severe.
Following a second hearing, the penalty was reduced to a fine and no penalty leaving him clear to face younger brother Sam.
Bradford squad: Cook, Langley, Sheriffe, Burgess, Sykes, Scruton, Menzies, Newton, Crookes, Donaldson, Halley, Olbison, Lynch, Kopczak, Jeffries, Tadulala, Worrincy, Platt, Nero.
Leeds squad: Webb, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Bishop, Lauitiiti, Sinfield, Diskin, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess, Gibson, Watkins, Jones-Buchanan.