Bradford v Aldershot preview
Last Updated: August 5, 2011 10:47am
Branston: Set to lead the Bantams
Team news ahead of Saturday's League Two clash between Bradford and Aldershot at Valley Parade.
Bradford summer signing Guy Branston is poised for his competitive debut in the home clash with Aldershot.
Branston, a free signing from Torquay in June, has been installed as club skipper and is expected to take his place at the heart of defence.
Manager Peter Jackson must decide who will partner Branston as both Steve Williams (thigh) and Luke Oliver (foot) have been struggling with injury during pre-season.
Neither player has been ruled out, but may have to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench alongside midfielder Ritchie Jones, a free summer signing from Oldham, who has been nursing a calf strain.
Jackson will be without former captain Simon Ramsden, who missed most of last season due to related hip and calf injuries and is now struggling with a groin problem.
Ross Hannah and Mark Stewart are hoping to start alongside each other up front and fellow summer signings Jack Compton, goalkeeper Martin Hanson, midfielder Chris Mitchell and striker Nialle Rodney are all hoping to make their debuts.
Luke Guttridge is doubtful for Aldershot after the midfielder suffered a medial ligament injury during the Shots' recent friendly victory over Stoke.
Summer signings Jamie Collins - who is fit after an ankle knock - Anthony Pulis, Graeme Montgomery or Reading loanee Jake Taylor could step in if Guttridge misses out.
Striker Michael Rankine, who joined the Shots from York, is in line to make his debut while defender Aaron Brown should start after rejoining from Leyton Orient.
Jamie Young is poised to start in goal ahead of another new recruit, former Charlton keeper Ross Worner.
Full-back Ben Herd will wear the captain's armband after Anthony Charles was released last week.
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Matches
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npower League 2
Table
npower League 2
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillingham | 46 | 83 |
| 2 | Rotherham United | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Port Vale | 46 | 78 |
| 4 | Burton Albion | 46 | 76 |
| 5 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Northampton Town | 46 | 73 |
| 7 | Bradford City | 46 | 69 |
| 8 | Chesterfield | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Oxford United | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Exeter City | 46 | 64 |
| 11 | Southend United | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Fleetwood Town | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 60 |
| 16 | Morecambe | 46 | 58 |
| 17 | York City | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 52 |
| 22 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 51 |
| 23 | Barnet | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 48 |
