TEAMtalk

Bradford v Macclesfield preview

Friday 20-April-2012 11:01

Bradford pair Guy Branston and Ritchie Jones are both hoping to shake off injuries for this match.

Centre-half Branston, back in the side in recent weeks following the suspensions of Luke Oliver and Andrew Davies, strained an adductor muscle in last week's win at Northampton.

Midfielder Jones was replaced late in the same game after taking a knock on the hip, but is expected to be in contention, while Davies, on loan from Stoke, sits out the last of his five-game ban.

Manager Phil Parkinson must decide whether to stick with Matt Duke in goal or recall Jon McLaughlin, who returned to the bench last week following his suspension.

Midfielders David Syers, Michael Flynn and Lee Bullock, plus striker Deane Smalley are all pushing for recalls to Parkinson's starting line-up and on-loan forward Chris Dagnall (back) returns to contention.

The Bantams just about assured their Football League safety last week but require another point to make relegation a mathematical impossibility.

Meanwhile, George Donnelly and Matt Smith are injury doubts for Macclesfield.

The forward duo are nursing respective hamstring and knee problems and will be assessed following training on Friday.

Midfielder Tony Diagne (groin) may be ready for his first action since Good Friday, while defender Carl Tremarco is hoping knee swelling sustained during training this week will subside and allow him to take part.

Defensive duo Paul Morgan (ankle) and Elliott Hewitt (hip) are out for the season along with midfielder Dwayne Mattis (ankle) and goalkeeper Steve Collis is once again struggling with a shoulder problem.

Macclesfield are second-bottom of League Two, three points from safety after failing to record a win in 20 games since New Year's Eve.