Bradford v Leyton Orient preview

admin

Bradford winger Garry Thompson is expected to be fit in time to face leaders Leyton Orient after having an injection in his troublesome Achilles.

Thompson had the treatment after being forced off late in the second half in the draw at Oldham last time out and the fortnight’s break – Bradford were not involved in the FA Cup last week – has enabled him to return to contention.

Manager Phil Parkinson will otherwise choose from a virtually fully-fit squad, with only defender Andy Davies (knee) currently sidelined through injury.

Centre-half Carl McHugh could return to the bench following his recovery from an ankle injury, while midfielder Jason Kennedy and winger Mark Yeates are pushing for recalls.

Leyton Orient, meanwhile, will be without David Mooney when they head to Bradford.

The O’s 15-goal top scorer starts a three-match ban after he was shown a straight red card towards the end of last weekend’s FA Cup win over Walsall.

But Mooney’s 12-goal strike partner Kevin Lisbie hopes to return after missing the last two matches with an ankle problem.

Boss Russell Slade also hopes to welcome back defenders Nathan Clarke (groin) and Scott Cuthbert (illness) after they missed out against Walsall while on-loan midfielders Marvin Bartley and Josh Wright return after being denied permission to play in the cup by their parent clubs.