Bradford Bulls forward Elliott Whitehead was hit with a five-match ban on Tuesday after being found guilty of biting an opponent.

The ban means the 21-year-old back-rower will not play again until 2012 after being ruled out of the Bulls final three games of the season.

A disciplinary committee ruled Whitehead had bitten Hull Kingston Rovers forward Jordan Cox on the arm during Sunday's English Super League game at Odsal.

Whitehead pleaded not guilty to the charge, with the Bulls claiming the player was not in control of his actions as he had been knocked unconscious four minutes before the incident.

Whitehead told the panel he could not remember anything of the match or the incident in question.

However the panel found against Whitehead after noting he had been ruled fit to continue play after being knocked out.

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