Bradford v Aldershot preview

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Bradford winger Garry Thompson is expected to shake off a rib injury in time to be included in the squad.

Thompson was forced off midway through the second half of the midweek draw at Port Vale after taking a whack in the ribs but has suffered only bruising and is likely to feature.

Left-back James Meredith, sidelined in recent weeks due to glandular fever, returned to full training this week but is not yet ready for match action, so Carl McHugh will continue in his absence.

Leading goalscorer Nahki Wells started on the bench on Tuesday night after sustaining a dead leg in last weekend’s win at York and he is hoping to return to the starting XI.

Manager Phil Parkinson, who has no new injury or suspension worries, must decide whether to recall goalkeeper Matt Duke or stick with Jon McLaughlin, while defender Andrew Davies and midfield pair Kyel Reid and Nathan Doyle are also pushing for recalls.

Aldershot manager Andy Scott must decide whether to name an unchanged side for the third successive match.

Scott kept faith with the same XI who clinched a goalless draw at Chesterfield and was rewarded as the Shots held league leaders Gillingham 1-1 last weekend.

And with no new injury or suspension concerns expected, Scott faces a welcome dilemma whether to stick with an unbeaten side at Valley Parade.

The Shots boss has not tasted defeat in his three matches in charge having seen off Fleetwood in his first game at the helm.

Striker Jeff Goulding returned from injury to make the bench against the Gills last weekend, while defender Troy Brown and winger Lionel Ainsworth will continue to be monitored.

Bradford v Aldershot preview

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Bradford summer signing Guy Branston is poised for his competitive debut in the home clash with Aldershot.

Branston, a free signing from Torquay in June, has been installed as club skipper and is expected to take his place at the heart of defence.

Manager Peter Jackson must decide who will partner Branston as both Steve Williams (thigh) and Luke Oliver (foot) have been struggling with injury during pre-season.

Neither player has been ruled out, but may have to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench alongside midfielder Ritchie Jones, a free summer signing from Oldham, who has been nursing a calf strain.

Jackson will be without former captain Simon Ramsden, who missed most of last season due to related hip and calf injuries and is now struggling with a groin problem.

Ross Hannah and Mark Stewart are hoping to start alongside each other up front and fellow summer signings Jack Compton, goalkeeper Martin Hanson, midfielder Chris Mitchell and striker Nialle Rodney are all hoping to make their debuts.

Luke Guttridge is doubtful for Aldershot after the midfielder suffered a medial ligament injury during the Shots’ recent friendly victory over Stoke.

Summer signings Jamie Collins – who is fit after an ankle knock – Anthony Pulis, Graeme Montgomery or Reading loanee Jake Taylor could step in if Guttridge misses out.

Striker Michael Rankine, who joined the Shots from York, is in line to make his debut while defender Aaron Brown should start after rejoining from Leyton Orient.

Jamie Young is poised to start in goal ahead of another new recruit, former Charlton keeper Ross Worner.

Full-back Ben Herd will wear the captain’s armband after Anthony Charles was released last week.

Bradford v Aldershot preview

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Bradford boss Peter Jackson is set to make changes.

Jackson saw the Bantams sucked back into the relegation picture after a 3-0 hammering at Accrington on Saturday and was livid with his side.

He said: “I feel some players are letting us down and they are letting us down at the wrong time of the season.

“We don’t have many options to change things around but we have to regroup and make sure we don’t panic.”

Winger Kevin Ellison is hoping to return into contention after a thigh injury but midfielder Tom Adeyemi is unavailable with a thigh strain of his own.

Jackson has options to freshen up his starting XI with the likes of Luke O’Brien, Gareth Evans, Scott Dobie and Lee Bullock all available.

Aldershot boss Dean Holdsworth could make changes.

Holdsworth saw his side’s faint play-off hopes ended with a 2-1 defeat to Burton at the weekend and the manager may take the chance to take a look at some of his squad players.

The likes of Wade Small, Doug Bergqvist and Tim Sills are all hoping for a rare start.

Captain Anthony Charles was due to make his 350th career appearance on Saturday but missed out through illness and is a doubt to recover in time for Monday, meaning Clayton Fortune could well start again.

Forward Jack Randall broke his leg while on loan at Didcot Town recently and is a long-term absentee.