Notts County v Bradford preview

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Liam Noble is suspended once more as Notts County prepare to host Bradford.

Noble was sent off during the 3-0 defeat at Swindon last weekend – the midfielder’s third red card in his last 10 appearances for the club – and he must serve a three-match ban.

Alan Smith, Will Hayhurst, Nicky Wroe and particularly Garry Thompson, against his former club, will all be looking to benefit from Noble’s absence, with all four players pushing for recalls to the starting line-up.

Mustapha Dumbuya, Greg Tempest and Ronan Murray remain out injured along with Jimmy Spencer, who is back in training after almost eight months out due to a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Bradford defender Andrew Davies could be rested after taking a knock to the arm he fractured in August in the midweek draw at Coventry.

The Bantams face Reading in their FA Cup quarter-final replay at the Madejski Stadium on Monday and Alan Sheehan could start in Davies’ place.

Manager Phil Parkinson may be tempted to utilise his squad, with midfielder Billy Knott and winger Mark Yeates, who scored direct from a free-kick on Tuesday night, pushing for recalls.

Summer signing Gary Liddle is expected to resume in midfield against his former club, but three games in a week could be too much for Filipe Morais, who recently returned from a knee injury.

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Notts County v Bradford preview

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Notts County kick-off 2014 at home to Bradford but they will be without the suspended Alan Sheehan.

Sheehan was sent off for two yellow card offences, the second of which was for deliberate handball, during the second half of the 1-0 defeat at Crawley and the full-back will serve a one-match ban.

Magpies manager Shaun Derry hopes to have Callum Ball available again after he missed a second game on Sunday because of a head injury, although no risks will be taken with the on-loan Derby striker.

Joss Labadie is fighting to overcome an ankle injury and his return would bolster Derry’s midfield options.

Bradford are expected to be without leading goalscorer Nahki Wells.

Wells was forced out of Sunday’s home draw against Swindon due to hamstring trouble and is a major doubt, but James Hanson is fit again after a calf injury and will continue up front.

Boss Phil Parkinson will be hoping veteran forward Andy Gray can shake off a dead leg, while teenager Ollie McBurnie and Alan Connell will also be in contention to start.

Midfielder Ricky Ravenhill sustained a knock to his knee in his return to the starting line-up against Swindon and is a slight doubt to face his former club.