Bradford injuries open door for young talent

Bradford face a manpower crisis for their Challenge Cup quarter-final at Widnes on Saturday, with 10 members of their first-team squad injured.

Apart from the long-term absentees, Jamie Peacock and Michael Withers, the Bulls have added Robbie Paul, Joe Vagana, Rob Parker, Lesley Vainikolo, Paul Deacon, Leon Pryce, Karl Pratt and Tevita Vaikona to their list of doubtful starters. The Bradford coach Brian Noble expects only three or four of them to play at the Halton Stadium, giving opportunities to young players like Stuart Reardon, Richard Moore, Chris Bridge and Jamie Langley.

"I've never known anything like it, but we're still being positive," Noble said. "There are lots of other players here, although it isn't an ideal scenario having to throw a lot of young players in against Widnes."

Bradford will also be without hooker James Lowes who was suspended last night for one match for striking in a game against Wakefield. His team-mate, Stuart Fielden, was also found guilty but escaped a ban.

St Helens have reacted angrily to Batley's claim that they have not been paid on time for their Challenge Cup-tie. The Saints chairman Eamonn McManus has accused his opposite number, Kevin Nicholas, of bringing the game into disrepute. "Mr Nicholas pre-agreed a clear payment schedule with us, which we have in fact met early," said McManus. "For him to go to the press questioning our willingness or ability to pay is quite breathtaking."

Huddersfield's Matt Calland will be out for three months with a fractured eye socket.