Bulls forward Elliott Whitehead will not play again until 2012 after being found guilty of biting an opponent.

The 21-year-old back rower, an ever-present for Bradford this year, was placed on report after Hull KR forward Jordan Cox complained that his arm had been bitten during Sunday’s match at Odsal.

A disciplinary committee last night charged the youngster with a grade E offence, handing him a five-match ban and a £300 fine.

It means Whitehead will miss Friday’s trip to Wigan and the subsequent fixtures against Crusaders and Wakefield.

The ban will also cover one pre-season friendly and the first game of the 2012 Super League season, which is likely to be at the Millennium Stadium.

It will come as a bitter blow to Whitehead, who dazzled for Bradford in Cardiff earlier this year, scoring a hat-trick in the season opener against Leeds.

He will also miss the chance of international recognition for he is in the England Knights squad preparing for end-of-season matches against France and Samoa.

Bulls officials had cited mitigating circumstances surrounding the incident, which occurred in the second half of Sunday’s Odsal clash, but will not appeal the decision.

The 21-year-old has also been in good form for the Bulls of late and his performance was one of the few positives in the 34-8 defeat to Hull KR.

But his absence will necessitate changes, with Shad Royston appearing likely to come in as a direct replacement at centre.

Whitehead is the second player in as many weeks to be banned for biting.

Harlequins centre David Howell was given a six-match ban and fined £300 after being found guilty of biting Remy Marginet during a 48-22 defeat to Catalan Dragons.