Bradford AFC vs Port Vale preview - Darby doubt for Bantams

Posted Friday, September 26, 2014 by PA

Bradford skipper Stephen Darby is expected to miss the home game against Port Vale.

Darby was unavailable for the midweek Capital One Cup defeat at MK Dons due to a groin injury and is unlikely to be rushed back, meaning a continued run at right-back for midfielder Gary Liddle.

Striker James Hanson remains doubtful after missing the last two games with a thigh strain, while Aaron Mclean is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up.

Defender Alan Sheehan returns to contention following his three-game ban, as does midfielder Matty Dolan, who has missed the last five games because of a hip problem.

Rob Page should have an unchanged squad for his second game as caretaker manager of Vale.

Page, who has taken charge following the resignation of Micky Adams, halted a run of six straight defeats last weekend with a 2-1 home win over Barnsley.

The former Wales international made four changes as Adam Yates, Louis Dodds, Mark Marshall and Jordan Slew were recalled in place of Michael Brown, Chris Birchall, Colin Daniel and Freddie Veseli, who was forced out with a rib injury.

Meanwhile, right-back Veseli is expected to be out for at least the next two weeks after X-rays showed the on-loan Ipswich defender has broken ribs. Achille Campion returned to light training as he steps up his recovery from a thigh strain.