Peterborough v Bradford preview

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Dave Robertson could have Kyle Vassell and Joe Newell available when he takes charge of Peterborough for the first time against Bradford.

Academy manager Robertson has been placed in control of first-team affairs following the departure of Darren Ferguson. He will be assisted by the returning Grant McCann and Aaron Mclean, who is on loan at the ABAX Stadium from the Bantams and is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Striker Vassell has been out for almost a month with an ankle injury while midfielder Newell missed last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at rivals MK Dons because of a groin problem. Newell will train on Friday and a decision will then be taken about his fitness.

Defenders Shaun Brisley and Gaby Zakuani and forwards Conor Washington and Marcus Maddison are available for recalls should Robertson wish to make changes to the Posh starting line up.

Bradford will be without midfielder Gary Liddle as he starts a two-game ban after receiving his 10th yellow card of the season in the midweek defeat at Swindon.

Boss Phil Parkinson will monitor James Hanson, Andrew Davies and Filipe Morais, who have all missed the last two games through injury and remain doubtful.

Striker Hanson and Davies have been nursing respective hamstring strains and could come into contention, but winger Morais has damaged a lateral knee ligament and is not expected to feature.

Parkinson handed new loan signing from Nottingham Forest, Oliver Burke, his full debut on Tuesday night and must decide whether to start the teenage winger again.

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Peterborough v Bradford preview

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Danny Swanson comes back into the reckoning for Peterborough ahead of the visit of Bradford.

Swanson was suspended last weekend as Posh drew 2-2 at Gillingham but the Scot returns to contention for Saturday to bolster manager Darren Ferguson’s midfield options.

Gaby Zakuani should be available again after an absence with an Achilles problem but fellow defender Craig Alcock (calf), midfielder Danny Kearns (hip) and skipper Tommy Rowe (knee) will continue to miss out through injury.

Jack Payne, Kane Ferdinand, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Nathaniel Knight-Percival, Hogan Ephraim and Tyrone Barnett all began on the bench at Priestfield and are options for Ferguson should he wish to make any changes to his starting line-up against the Bantams.

Bradford pair James Hanson and Raffaele De Vita are both doubtful for the trip to Peterborough.

Hanson is hoping to overcome a calf strain, but with fellow forwards Caleb Folan (hamstring) and Oliver McBurnie (leg) also struggling, boss Phil Parkinson could be light up front.

De Vita, a second-half substitute in last week’s home draw with Leyton Orient, has a thigh strain and defender Andrew Davies remains sidelined as he recovers from knee surgery.

Parkinson’s play-off chasers have drawn five of their last six league matches.