Bradford v Cheltenham preview
Last Updated: October 19, 2012 9:56am
Jones: Boost for Bantams
Team news ahead of Saturday's League Two clash between Bradford CIty and Cheltenham Town at Valley Parade.
Bradford midfielder Ritchie Jones is in contention for his first league appearance of the season.
Jones has struggled to regain match fitness after being sidelined since the end of last season due to a hamstring injury and then ankle ligament damage and has had to make do with a place on the bench in recent weeks.
But Jones came through the full 90 minutes for the reserves in midweek and with skipper Gary Jones (back) and Kyel Reid (groin) still sidelined, manager Phil Parkinson could be tempted to start with Jones.
Defender Rory McArdle has returned unscathed from international duty with Northern Ireland - he was an unused substitute in Portugal - but centre-half Luke Oliver (hip) and the versatile Andrew Davies (knee) are both doubtful as Bradford chase their first win in five league matches.
Cheltenham boss Mark Yates may name an unchanged side.
The Robins moved into the automatic promotion places following last weekend's win over AFC Wimbledon and Yates has challenged his side to hang on to their position.
Skipper Alan Bennett remains sidelined, he will serve the final match of his three-game suspension and will return for Tuesday's clash with Plymouth.
Yates is expected to start with just one striker at Valley Parade, with Chris Zebroski and Shaun Harrad battling for a starting place.
Town winger Jermaine McGlashan expects the Bantams to provide strong opposition but believes their recent away form gives them confidence ahead of the trip.
"You get your pants pulled down in this league if you think you're just going to go in and win it," he told BBC Gloucestershire.
"We're confident at the moment and you can see that in our away record. Bradford will be a tough test but we are confident going in to that one as well."
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 |
