Thursday, 11 September 2008

Morrison could make a shock return on Friday

Bradford could be boosted by the return of Glenn Morrison for Friday's Super League play-off with Wigan in Widnes.
The forward was expected to be out for the season with a quad injury but has recovered ahead of schedule.
Michael Platt and Paul Deacon are also in the 19-man squad as the Bulls look to make amends for their 31-30 defeat to Wigan in last year's play-offs.
Second rower Gareth Hock is back for Wigan after a five-games ban, but loose forward Sean O'Loughlin is injured.
Prop Paul Prescott is rated as 50-50 for the Warriors so Eamon O'Carroll is included in Brian Noble's squad.
The loser of the match, being played at Widnes' Stobart Stadium, will be eliminated from the competition.
Bradford suffered that fate when the two teams met in the first round of play-off games last season.
Leading 30-6, they were eventually beaten 31-30 as Wigan scored 25 points in the last 25 minutes in a dramatic tie at Odsal.
"It was pretty tough to lose a 24-point advantage and the way we lost it at the end was especially disappointing," admitted Bradford's veteran prop Joe Vagana, who is retiring at the end of the season.
We were well beaten but we got a couple of knock-ons and the rugby gods shone on us
Wigan coach Brian Noble
"But that was last year and it's gone now. We've got a new bunch of players.
"The real excitement starts. It's knockout football and we only have a few more games to get to Old Trafford. Wigan are a tough team but we're going there to win."
Wigan coach Brian Noble was full of sympathy for his old club a year ago and still admits they were probably hard done by.
"We were well beaten but we got a couple of knock-ons and the rugby gods shone on us," he said.
Wigan made the most of their good fortune, going on to win at Hull in the semi-finals before going down to eventual winners Leeds in the final eliminator.

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