Ankle op rules Lynch out of final eliminator

The Bradford prop forward Andy Lynch will be fit for the start of next season, the club have been assured.

The 26-year-old had a plate inserted in his broken ankle yesterday after sustaining an injury in Saturday's Super League play-off win over Warrington.

"After missing out on the semi-final and the final last year, it's a cruel blow to him and the team," said the Bradford coach, Steve McNamara. "But he's in good hands. There have been a few problems in getting him operated on but the information we're getting from the specialist is he will make a full recovery. The estimates are three months, so he'll be back for the start of next season."

Bradford expect to offset the loss of Lynch with the return of the Great Britain second-rower Paul Johnson and loose forward Jamie Langley for Friday's final eliminator against Hull at the KC Stadium.