Bradford v Crewe preview
Last Updated: December 23, 2011 2:52pm
Miller (c): Starts three-match ban
Team news ahead of Boxing Day's League Two clash between Bradford City and Crewe Alexandra at Valley Parade.
Bradford midfielders David Syers and Lee Bullock could return to the squad.
Syers has been restricted to just two appearances this season due to a knee injury, while Bullock had played just one game before sustaining a serious thigh injury.
Syers played the full 90 minutes for the Bantams' reserves in midweek and Bullock was withdrawn after 75, leaving manager Phil Parkinson to decide whether to include one of them, or both, on Boxing Day.
Defender Robbie Threlfall also played the full 90 minutes for the second string and could return after two months on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
Striker Ross Hannah is not expected to shake off the hamstring strain that has forced him to miss the last two matches, but Parkinson has no other new injury or suspension problems as his side look to extend their unbeaten league run to four matches and build on last week's win at Southend.
Crewe will be without forward Shaun Miller.
Miller picked up a straight red card in the ninth minute of Alex's clash with League Two leaders Crawley last time out and, therefore, will serve a three-match suspension.
Despite Miller's early sending off, Steve Davis' men were still able to pick up a hugely impressive 1-1 draw against the Red Devils and will be desperate to build upon that.
Otherwise, Davis has a full squad at his disposal as Crewe look to add to their four-match unbeaten run in the league.
Alex are currently 15th in League Two and will be hoping for a strong finish to the year as they look to push up the table in 2012.
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 |
