Bradford v York preview
Last Updated: October 12, 2012 12:31pm
Walker: Injury doubt for Minstermen
Team news for Saturday afternoon's League Two clash between Bradford and York at Valley Parade.
Bradford defender James Meredith is expected to return to the starting line-up.
The 24-year-old Australian, who spent three seasons at York before turning down the offer of a new deal in the summer, was rested for the midweek Johnstone's Paint Trophy win at Hartlepool, but stepped off the bench for the final 20 minutes and will be back in Phil Parkinson's side.
Parkinson faces a central defensive dilemma, with Rory McArdle away on international duty with Northern Ireland and Luke Oliver still doubtful with the hip problem that kept him out on Tuesday night.
If Oliver fails to make it Carl McHugh could step in at centre-half alongside Andrew Davies, with Stephen Darby at right-back.
Bradford are still without key midfield pair Gary Jones (back) and Kyel Reid (groin), so Ricky Ravenhill is likely to continue in central midfield, with Parkinson to decide whether to retain Garry Thompson or recall Zavon Hines.
Striker Nahki Wells was rested in midweek and Parkinson must also decide whether to recall the Bermudian or retain Alan Connell in his starting line-up.
York pair Jason Walker and Chris Doig are injury doubts for the derby clash.
Striker Walker required crutches after sustaining an ankle injury in the midweek Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat to Coventry, while defender Doig was forced out of the action early in the second half.
Manager Gary Mills has no other new injury or suspension problems but faces several selection dilemmas as his side look to bounce back from Tuesday night's 4-0 reverse.
Midfielder Scott Kerr made his first start of the season against Coventry following a long-term knee ligament injury and could find two games in four days too much, while Mills must also decide whether to retain on-loan Peterborough midfielder Danny Kearns, who made his first start for the club on Tuesday.
Striker Oli Johnson will be hoping to retain his place after making his first start in midweek since his summer arrival from Oxford, while midfielder Paddy McLaughlin and striker Michael Coulson are hoping to return after dropping out of the squad altogether.
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 |
