Newton cleared to face Wolves
4:21pm Monday 7th July 2008
Bulls star Terry Newton has avoided another ban but now faces a battle to be fit for Friday night’s clash against Warrington.
The Great Britain hooker was sweating after twice being put on report by referee Steve Ganson in Sunday’s controversial loss at Huddersfield.
He was alleged to have hit Stephen Wild with a late challenge and performed a dangerous throw on Andy Raleigh but the RFL match review panel today decided Newton had no case to answer.
He is free take his place in Bradford’s side at the Halliwell Jones Stadium but revealed: “I’ve got an ankle injury that might keep me out. I did it in training the day before the Huddersfield match but took some pain-killers and a local anaesthetic and got through okay.
“There’s been a bit of a reaction since but hopefully it’ll settle down for Friday.”
Newton – who admitted the Bulls played “like amateurs” at the weekend – continued: “I’m pleased I don’t have to go before the judiciary at Red Hall again but upset I even got penalised at all.
“I was punished on the field for it and let my team-mates down yet it can’t even have been a penalty if they’ve said there’s no charge.”
Bulls’ Paul Sykes is likely to miss the televised Super League meeting at Warrington after his red card in the same match.
The free-scoring centre has to face the RFL disciplinary committee this afternoon charged with alleged use of foul and abusive language to a match official.
Sykes was dismissed by Ganson following the final whistle after Bradford’s dramatic 25-24 defeat and could receive up to a four-match ban.
Giants skipper Chris Thorman – who kicked the winning drop goal in injury-time – has also been ordered to attend, charged with alleged biting.
Bulls full back Michael Platt complained to Ganson that his finger had been bitten in the 73rd minute with Thorman called out and put on report.
The video review panel believe there is enough evidence to warrant a case and he could be hit with an eight-game or more suspension.
Sam Burgess, meanwhile, is seeing a specialist to discover the extent of his shoulder injury, hoping it won’t require surgery.