Fleetwood Town vs Bradford AFC preview - Duo in Town frame

Stephen Crainey and Nathan Pond may return to Fleetwood's fold when Bradford visit Highbury.

Full-back Crainey (foot) and long-serving centre-back Pond both returned to training this week ahead of Friday's fixture.

Should they come back into Graham Alexander's squad, it would leave just David Ball and Jamille Matt as the club's two absentees.

The forwards both have long-term leg injuries, with Matt out for the entire campaign.

Bradford striker Billy Clarke will play no part and will miss the Christmas period due to a knee injury.

Clarke has sustained medial ligament damage and will be sidelined for several weeks, so that could mean a return to the starting line-up for James Hanson or a first start for recent signing Francois Zoko.

The Bantams are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions and boss Phil Parkinson, who has no other new injury worries, is unlikely to make too many changes.

Billy Knott was preferred in central midfield to Middlesbrough loanee Andy Halliday in last week's home draw against Scunthorpe and is hoping to retain his place, while defenders Alan Sheehan and Christopher Routis, who started on the bench last week, are again in contention.