Hopkin not taking chances with Wright

Posted Thursday, October 04, 2018 by PA

Bradford manager David Hopkin will not take any chances with the fitness of Josh Wright ahead of the visit of Sunderland.

Wright is back in training after missing the last five games with a hamstring injury, but Hopkin is wary of rushing his captain back into action.

Wright’s fellow midfielder Jim O’Brien is set for a spell on the sidelines after coming off just 30 minutes into Tuesday’s win at Wimbledon, a match forward Eoin Doyle missed as a precaution with a back problem.

Jack Payne is pushing for a place in the starting XI after coming off the bench to replace O’Brien on Tuesday and scoring the decisive penalty.

Sunderland will be without the suspended Bryan Oviedo for the trip to Valley Parade.

Oviedo is starting a three-match ban after being sent off for violent conduct in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Peterborough at the Stadium of Light.

However, Sunderland boss Jack Ross will have Lee Cattermole available again after the midfielder served his own suspension for picking up five bookings this season.

George Honeyman missed the Peterborough game after suffering a head injury in training and will be assessed on Friday, while Luke O’Nien is struggling to make the squad due to illness.