Bradford v Crawley preview

admin

Bradford’s leading goalscorer James Hanson could return to the starting line-up in the home game against Crawley.

Hanson has missed the last three matches due to a hamstring problem but boss Phil Parkinson has confirmed he will make several changes following Saturday’s defeat at Peterborough.

Midfielder Gary Liddle sits out the second game of his two-match ban after reaching 10 yellow cards for the season, but the likes of Francois Zoko, Mark Yeates, James Meredith, Christopher Routis and on-loan Gary MacKenzie could be included in the starting line-up.

The Bantams, who face Reading in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, have collected one point from their last three league games.

Crawley are likely to be unchanged following a battling 1-1 draw against Sheffield United at the weekend.

Boss Dean Saunders has no new injury concerns but is still without a host of players.

Defenders Dean Leacock (groin) and Lanre Oyebanjo (hamstring) remain sidelined along with midfielders Conor Henderson (ankle), Marvin Elliott and Josh Simpson (both hamstring).

Skipper Joe Walsh, who missed the last three matches through suspension, on Monday completed a loan switch to MK Dons.

Breaking news, transfer gossip, line ups and goal alerts from your football club – delivered direct to your mobile. Sign up for Sky Sports Alerts

Bradford v Crawley preview

admin

James Hanson is expected to return for Bradford’s last home game of the season against Crawley.

The big striker has been nursing a back problem in recent weeks and missed Monday’s defeat at Swindon, but is set to be back alongside on-loan Huddersfield forward Jonathan Stead.

Bradford will be without on-loan winger Adam Reach following his return to parent club Middlesbrough, while midfielder Nathan Doyle is doubtful due to the groin injury that forced him out of the action at Swindon.

Fit-again defender James Meredith stepped off the bench in place of Doyle and is pushing for his first start since New Year’s Day as the Bantams chase a second home win in six matches.

Josh Simpson and Andy Drury should return for Crawley when they head to Bradford.

Skipper Simpson and fellow midfielder Drury both sat out Monday’s 1-0 defeat at Notts County with knocks but boss John Gregory expects them to be fit.

Defender Kyle McFadzean took a whack on his ankle but managed to play on through it and will be available again so the only absentees are striker Billy Clarke (broken hand) and full-back Paul Connolly, who is still serving his five-match ban.

Gregory was only able to name five substitutes against County but should have a full complement available at Valley Parade.

Bradford v Crawley preview

admin

Bradford manager Phil Parkinson expects winger Kyel Reid to be available for the home game.

Reid drove back from London where his partner is expecting their first child in time to play a key role in City’s fightback in their 2-2 draw with Gillingham at the weekend.

But Parkinson will still be without defender Marcel Seip, who is to have a scan on the shoulder injury which has kept him out of the last two matches.

Midfielder Ricky Ravenhill made way for David Syers against Gillingham and Parkinson must decide who to start with against Crawley, while striker Nahki Wells is pushing for a recall after stepping off the substitutes’ bench for the last half an hour.

Parkinson has no new injury or suspension worries as his side look to use their game in hand to extend the four-point gap between themselves and the bottom two.

Crawley have doubts over four players ahead of the clash.

Full-back Lloyd James is set to miss out again with a rib injury and striker Leon Clarke has a bruised foot which kept him out of Saturday’s 3-0 win over Rotherham.

Defender Claude Davis and midfielder Scott Neilson were also missing at the weekend due to a virus and will be checked over ahead of kick-off.

Goalkeeper Scott Shearer was on the bench on Saturday having recovered from the knee injury which initially looked like bringing his season to an end.

However, Michel Kuipers is set to keep his place in goal after another clean sheet.

Right-back David Hunt is still recovering from a broken foot.