Bradford chase Iro

Bradford Bulls have asked Leeds to name their price for Kevin Iro - but say that they do not visualise a swap deal involving their unsettled centre, Paul Newlove. "They have not knocked us back and we have asked them to get back to us," said a Bradford spokesman.

The Bulls do not see Iro as a replacement for Newlove, seeing themselves as a buying club, not a selling one. "Paul has put in a written transfer request, but we do not want to lose him and we will take any club that approaches him without our permission to court."

Newlove, the Great Britain centre, has asked for a move because of Bradford's decision to replace Peter Fox as coach with the Australian, Brian Smith.

He missed yesterday's match at St Helens with a shin injury, but Bradford say there is no substance to the inevitable suspicions that the injury is a diplomatic one.

Saints are one of the clubs keenly interested in Newlove's plans, but Leeds, who have plenty of money in reserve after Jonah Lomu's decision to stay in rugby union, would be the favourites to sign him if he was allowed to leave.