RHYS Evans is back in the mix as the Bulls head into their “must-win” clash with York on Sunday.

The Wales international is expected to be named in John Kear’s 19-man squad today for the trip to second-placed Knights.

Evans has not played since round nine against Dewsbury at the beginning of April because of a shoulder injury.

But he successfully came through his comeback for the reserves at Odsal and Kear may look to add his experience to the ranks for the Bootham Crescent bash.

“Rhys has come through okay and it’s an ideal time for him to be back,” said the Bulls coach. “Sunday is a massive, massive game for us.

It’s about being able to cope with the occasion and that’s one of the reasons we’d love Steve Crossley to be able to play, being club captain and the way he leads from the front.”

Crossley remains a doubt and was being assessed after training last night. Ethan Ryan was another being tested ahead of a game the Bulls cannot afford to lose in their play-off pursuit after last week’s costly draw with Swinton.

Kear added: “James Green took a fuller part in training so he’s getting closer. But we’ve still got to be in that position for being in those play-offs.

“The players worked so hard to put themselves in a great position to push for the play-offs and then we come up short in a game we should have won. There’s only ourselves to blame.

“Every game now is high intensity and tough. There is no chance to have an off day where you’re not quite there.

“That’s what happened last week. I would suggest we had 11 or 12 people who just weren’t quite there and it was an important point we dropped.”

George Flanagan is eligible to return after serving his two-game ban but Kear was impressed by the form of understudy Thomas Doyle.

He said: “I thought young Thomas was excellent. We rank our players every week as coaches and he was in our top three.

“He’s done very well indeed when he’s come in and he’s under consideration as is George.”