Wakefield v Bradford: Scruton fear if Wildcats are relegated

The front-row, 30, will be striving to ensure Trinity’s top-flight safety when he faces former club Bradford Bulls in today’s Million Pound Game.

Four-times champions Bradford are seeking to win promotion straight back to the elite after last year’s demotion.

But Scruton, who joined Trinity in March last year after Bulls had gone into administration, is unsure whether his current club would be able to sustain such a challenge if the worst happened this afternoon.

“Some clubs can go down and build back up like Bradford have,” said the player, who won a Grand Final with Leeds Rhinos in 2008.

“But I think we’d struggle, to be honest. It’s not a pleasant thought. The club has a proud history and it’s big for the people to stay in Super League.

“I don’t think there’s anybody at the club who won’t be affected if we go down.

“I think most people’s contracts are Super League only, so if we go down they will be struggling.

“We’re trying not to think about that, we just want to do our best to get the win and put this season to bed.”

Wakefield finished bottom of Super League with just three wins from their 23 games.

The have subsequently prospered in just three of their seven Qualifiers fixtures, to find themselves in the shoot-out for the 12th and final place in Super League next season.

Scruton played more than 100 games for Bulls and admitted: “Yes, I have got mates at Bradford, but I’ve a job to do and I need to do my best to keep Wakefield up.

“There will be no sentiment and whoever stays up deserves to be there; the best team on Saturday will do and that’s how it should be.”