Pryce in frame for return to Bradford Bulls
Leon Pryce is high on the Bulls’ wanted list as their off-season shopping spree shows no sign of slowing.
The Telegraph & Argus understands Pryce has been targeted for a potential return to his hometown club as they aim to bounce back from two seasons of on-field failure.
Sources close to the player have previously indicated the St Helens stand-off would be keen to return to Odsal at some point but it is believed that possibility is now stronger than ever.
Although the 28-year-old Bulls academy product has one-year left on his current deal at Knowsley Road, Saints could be willing to let him go due to the emergence of talented youngsters Jonny Lomax and Gary Wheeler and the arrival of a new coach in Royce Simmons.
A sticking point could be the neck injury which ended Pryce’s season. He is likely to be sidelined until early next year following an operation this month, possibly putting him in doubt for the start of the new campaign.
Half-back has become a priority in the Bulls’ recruitment drive after the troubles they experienced due to the lack of a specialist No 6 and No 7 at the back end of this year.
After Matt Orford’s season was ended by a shoulder injury, they were forced to mix and match at pivot and won only one of their remaining 13 games.
Brett Kearney, Danny Addy and Heath L’Estrange all had to spend time at scrum half in their team-mate's absence, even though it is not their natural position.
With Orford almost certain to cut short his stay at Odsal in favour of a return to the NRL and Paul Sykes set to return to centre after spending much of this season at stand-off, Bradford are in the market for two halves.
Crusaders scrum half Rhys Hanbury – a key figure in the Welsh side’s recent run to the play-offs – is another rumoured target but there could be as many as four more new arrivals before Super League resumes again in February.
