Darlington v Bradford preview

Quakers looking to move back into the top three

Last updated: 28th March 2008

Penney Dave

Penney: Darlington are slipping

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Darlington have seen their promotion bid falter of late, while Bradford could make a late surge for a top-seven finish.

The Quakers have won just once in their last five League Two outings to slip out of the automatic promotion places and will be keen to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

Bradford currently sit in the safety of mid-table, but with only six points separating them from the play-offs they have everything to play for in their final eight games.

Wright doubtful

Darlington boss Dave Penney is sweating on the fitness of striker Tommy Wright ahead of their home clash.

Wright lasted 64 minutes of Monday's 2-2 draw with Morecambe before leaving the field with a hip injury and is rated 50/50 to face the Bantams.

Midfielder Clark Keltie featured for the reserves earlier this week after overcoming a knee injury and could come into contention.

Striker Richie Foran suffered no ill-effects on his return to the side from a hamstring injury and should feature again but defender Tim Ryan (knee) remains sidelined.

Penney, meanwhile, has been handed a triple boost ahead of the clash with the news that midfield duo Jason Kennedy and Ben Parker have extended their loan spells from Middlesbrough and Leeds respectively for the rest of the season while Craig Nelthorpe joined from Doncaster on Thursday.

The 20-year-old midfielder could make his debut against the Bantams.

Options for McCall

Bradford boss Stuart McCall faces a selection headache for his side's trip to the North East.

McCall has Willy Topp, Peter Thorne and Barry Conlon available as options in attack and will make a decision on which of either Topp or Conlon will partner Thorne up front closer to kick-off.

However, the Bantams boss will be without suspended midfielder Omar Daley as he serves the second game of a three-match ban and defender Matt Clarke, who suffered a medial ligament injury in training.

Thomas Moncur is expected to feature after shaking off a hamstring injury and overcoming personal problems, while David Wetherall is also expected to be fit after shrugging off a knock.