Super League preview: Hull FC v Bradford Bulls
Hull FC will be looking for home comforts when the resurgent Bradford Bulls visit the KC Stadium on Friday night.
Last Updated: 07/03/14 7:49pm
The Black and Whites won their season-opener against Catalan Dragons at home, but have subsequently lost away trips to St Helens and Warrington.
The Bulls have recovered from dropping their first match of the campaign to beat Wakefield Wildcats and London Broncos in their last two outings.
However, Francis Cummins' side remain on minus two points despite the victories, although a win over Lee Radford's men will bring them to an even keel.
Radford has called new signing Chris Tuson and prop forward Liam Watts into his squad. Former Wigan man Tuson has recovered from a neck injury.
Watts is also on course to return to the side after damaging knee ligaments in the pre-season friendly against Featherstone, with Joe Arundel and Jay Pitts the players to make way in Hull's 19-man squad.
However, Garreth Carvell is not risked as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury although he is expected to feature against Castleford Tigers next week.
Desperation
"We've got as much desperation for these two points as they have and it's the acid test of everything we've been banging on about over the past few months in terms of consistency," Radford told the club's official website.
"We're confident in what we are doing as a squad and the direction we're heading in but we need a win on Friday and that's the be all and end all."
Bulls' new signings Liam Sutcliffe and Greg Burke are both in-line to make their debuts, after being included in head coach Francis Cummins' 19-man squad.
Stand-off Sutcliffe and front-rower Burke have this week arrived on short-term loan deals, joining from Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors respectively.
And the pair go straight into contention for Super League action, replacing three-quarter Luke George - who misses out with concussion - and Nick Scruton, who left the club last week, in the Bulls' squad.
Cummins is delighted to have added the talents of Sutcliffe and Burke to his squad, saying: "The experience they've got already is huge. They've probably played more Super League games than some of our players."
Hull FC: Bowden, Crooks, Ellis, Heremaia, Horne, Houghton, Lineham, Miller, Paea, Paleaaesina, Rankin, Shaul, Talanoa, Thompson, Tuson, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.
Bradford Bulls: Donaldson, Henry, Walker, Purtell, Gale, Kear, Olbison, Sidlow, Bridge, Burke, Sutcliffe, Mullally, Roberts, Manuokafoa, Addy, Foster, Diskin, Kearney, O'Brien.