Bradford V Burton Albion at Coral Windows Stadium : Match Preview

19 April 2013 12:31
Bradford V Burton Albion - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Bantams sweating on defenders

Defensive duo Andrew Davies and James Meredith are both doubtful for Bradford's last home game of the season against Burton.

Centre-half Davies is struggling with a back problem and had to be replaced by Michael Nelson in the midweek defeat to Rotherham and Meredith is hoping to overcome a hip problem.

Nelson will continue alongside Rory McArdle if Davies is ruled out, while Carl McHugh is on stand-by for Meredith.

Winger Kyel Reid shook off a recurrence of a groin injury to start on Tuesday night and lasted the full 90 minutes, so is likely to continue.

Manager Phil Parkinson has no other new injury or suspension worries as Bradford chase a fourth win in six matches to stay in the last available play-off slot heading into next week's final game of the season.

Calvin Zola remains the only injury concern for Burton.

Zola is still struggling with a long-standing hamstring and hip problem that has seen him sit out the last five matches and the Congolese striker will be assessed before Albion travel to west Yorkshire.

Manager Gary Rowett's squad will otherwise be unchanged as his players look to maintain their challenge for automatic promotion.

Substitute Matt Paterson kept them in the hunt last weekend with a goal deep into injury time to sink Plymouth 1-0 at the Pirelli Stadium and the striker will have done his claims for a recall no harm with that.

Jimmy Phillips, Jack Dyer and Adam Drury are options should Rowett feel the need to change anything in midfield.

Captain Zander Diamond and goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson were dropped following the 7-1 hammering at Port Vale on April 5.

Centre-half Marcus Holness and Dean Lyness replaced them in the starting line up and are in strong positions to retain their places after back-to-back clean sheets in victories over Wycombe and Plymouth.

Source: PA