Bradford v Fleetwood preview

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Bradford will be without suspended winger Filipe Morais for their home game against Fleetwood.

Morais was shown a straight red card in Monday night’s FA Cup quarter-final replay defeat at Reading for his challenge on Nathaniel Chalobah and begins a three-game ban.

Defender Andrew Davies has missed the last two games after recently taking a knock to the arm he broke in August and Alan Sheehan is expected to continue in his absence.

Jak Alnwick is back in contention after being ineligible to play at Reading and boss Phil Parkinson must decide whether to recall him or retain Ben Williams in goal, while midfielder Matthew Dolan and defender Christopher Routis are among those pushing for recalls.

Neither Stephen Jordan or Jeff Hughes are ready to return to make the trip for Fleetwood.

Full-back Jordan has been hampered by a hamstring strain which forced him off in the win over Sheffield United earlier this month and it was confirmed on Thursday that Hughes’ knock would keep him out again.

Conor McLaughlin plays his final game before linking up with Northern Ireland while fellow full-back Adam Chicksen is also available ahead of his return to parent club Gillingham.

Long-term absentees Nick Haughton (foot), Danny Andrew (knee) and Jamille Matt (leg) complete Graham Alexander’s list of absentees.

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Bradford v Fleetwood preview

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Bradford will be without injured midfielder Ritchie Jones for their opening home league fixture.

Jones, who had been hoping to shake off a thigh strain in time for Saturday’s defeat at Gillingham, twisted an ankle in training on Friday and could be sidelined for several weeks and joins Ricky Ravenhill on the sidelines.

Defender Andrew Davies is still struggling with a hamstring problem, but could be involved after stepping off the bench for the last seven minutes at Gillingham.

Latest signing Zavon Hines is expected to start on the bench again following his arrival in time to face Gillingham, but gave manager Phil Parkinson plenty to think about, while striker Nahki Wells, introduced for the last half an hour on Saturday, is also pushing for a place in the starting line-up.

Fleetwood manager Micky Mellon has a full squad to choose from.

Northern Ireland international midfielder Damien Johnson was Mellon’s only major doubt heading into the opening league stalemate against Torquay and he recovered from a calf problem to complete 90 minutes.

The former Huddersfield man appreciates he will need to recover well in order to feature at Valley Parade.

“I’ve only played at Valley Parade once or twice,” Johnson told Fleetwood’s official website. “It will be a tough game as Bradford are a big club.

“I just need to rest up and make sure that I’m ready for Tuesday.”

Summer signing Steven Gillespie could push for a start in attack after the trio of David Ball, Jon Parkin and Andy Mangan drew blanks in consecutive home matches.