Potter out to tame Wolves
Bradford coach Mick Potter is confident the Bulls can cause an upset in their Carnegie Challenge Cup clash with Warrington.
Last Updated: 27/04/12 4:32pm
Bradford coach Mick Potter is confident the Bulls are capable of causing an upset in their Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth-round tie with Warrington.
The Wolves go into the clash at Halliwell Jones Stadium as big favourites as they attempt to take another step on the road to reclaiming the trophy they won in consecutive years in 2009 and 2010.
But Bradford defied the odds to beat both Leeds and St Helens in the Stobart Super League at home this season and having lost just once away from home, he believes they are ready to spring another surprise.
"We have probably been in that mode because we have come from a low point in the last couple of seasons," he said.
"We are very much the underdogs as far as our standings in the competition go and what they have achieved in the past few years but that's probably good. We are a side that could trouble Warrington."
The Bulls have experienced improved results recently despite the financial cloud hovering over Odsal and Potter knows a first Wembley appearance for 15 years would be a timely boost to the club's reserves.
He added: "It would be great result for the club if we could win and it would take the club forward relatively quickly.
"Everyone wants to get to finals and they are usually a long process but the Challenge Cup is a quick way of doing that by only having to play five games so we are certainly looking at making progress in this competition."
Injury doubts
Potter hopes that half-back Luke Gale and full-back Brett Kearney recover from injury in time for the match, with both players being named in his 19-man squad despite doubts over their fitness.
Hooker Heath L'Estrange is available again after suspension but centre Adrian Purtell will miss the game with a hamstring problem.
Warrington welcome back Garreth Carvell after a two-match ban, while fellow front-rower Michael Monaghan also returns after recovering from injury.
Wolves boss Tony Smith is hoping that his side's 54-6 rout of Castleford last Sunday has signalled that they are back to their best.
Smith said: "Hopefully we can build on last week's performance. We went a long way towards fixing some areas in our defence that we needed to.
"I think that had an effect on the way we attacked because we looked a bit sharper with the ball. Bradford are a good team. They probably had their toughest time at the start of the year.
"They've been a tough team to beat. They've got a formula they play by and they do it pretty well. They're a hard-working team with a few dangerous players.
"They kick well and chase well and do a lot of little things well. We'll have to be somewhere near our best."
Warrington squad: Atkins, C Bridge, Briers, Carvell, Cooper, Dwyer, Grix, Harrison, Higham, Hill, Hodgson, McCarthy, J Monaghan, M Monaghan, O'Brien, Riley, Waterhouse, Westwood, Wood
Bradford squad: Addy, Ainscough, Bateman, Burgess, Diskin, Elima, Gale, Hargreaves, Jeffries, Kearney, Kopczak, Langley, L'Estrange, Lulia, Manuokafoa, Olbison, Platt, Pryce, Whitehead