Pratt set to sign for Bradford

Bradford Bulls are set to announce the signing of Karl Pratt, the Great Britain winger cut adrift by Leeds.

Pratt was declared a free agent last week, enabling Bradford to make their move. "Whilst he was still a Leeds player, he was nothing to do with us," the Bulls' coach, Brian Noble, said. "It was like looking at a bowl of fruit and knowing you couldn't eat it, but now we are very close to a deal.

"You always have to be interested in quality players and Karl falls into that category. He has a lot of utility value for us."

Pratt will earn opportunities on the wing, where the Bulls have lost Nathan McAvoy to rugby union, and at hooker, where James Lowes will be playing what is expected to be his final season.

Bradford plan to have the fourth side of Odsal Stadium completed in time for their match against Leeds next May. They are returning to their traditional home after two years of ground-sharing at Valley Parade and intend to build a new stand, including hospitality facilities, on Odsal's disused stock car pits.

"The design and appearance of the new structure is very exciting," the Bulls' chairman, Chris Caisley, said. "By transforming the ground into a four-sided stadium, we will be able to generate an unbelievable atmosphere."

Wakefield have fended off the attentions of Brisbane Broncos to secure Gareth Ellis on a long-term contract. The highly-rated centre or second-rower has agreed a deal that will keep him at Belle Vue until the 2005 season, despite interest from clubs at home and abroad.

Lokomotiv Moscow, the second Russian team to compete in the Challenge Cup, have been handed a tough draw away to Leigh in the third round in January.

Embassy, the Hull amateur club who beat the other Russian pioneers, Strella Kazan, in the second round, are rewarded with a trip to Barrow.

Of the French clubs entering at this stage, Villeneuve are at Featherstone, Pia go to Hunslet and UTC are at Gateshead. Arguably the tie of the round is Toulouse's trip to Salford, who were relegated from Superleague this year.

Widnes have beaten their Super League rivals Wigan and St Helens to sign the 16-year-old goalkicking loose forward, Damian Turner, from the amateur club, Wigan St Patrick's.

CHALLENGE CUP DRAW

Third round: Doncaster v Redhill; Salford v Toulouse; Hull Kingston Rovers v Siddal; West Bowling v Batley; Gateshead v Union Treiziste Catalan; Skirlaugh v York; Swinton v Shaw Cross; Barrow v Embassy; Halton Simms Cross v London Skolars; Leigh Centurions v Locomotiv Moscow; Woolston v Dewsbury; Oulton v Sheffield; Hunslet v Pia; Oldham St Annes v Rochdale; Featherstone v Villeneuve; Whitehaven v Cottingham; Keighley v Thornhill; Chorley v Leigh Miners Rangers; Oldham v East Hull; Wath Brow v Workington.

Ties to be played 25 and 26 January