Phil Parkinson feels Gary Jones' illness will have a little affect on Bradford's bid to finish the season in the top half of the table.
Midfielder Jones, still recovering from the affects of a virus, missed last week's win at Colchester but returned to the bench for last Saturday's home draw against Gillingham and played the final 17 minutes. "He had a virus which laid him low and we've just got to be careful with Gaz," Parkinson said. "He's trained three days this week, he's looked good, but is he 100 per cent yet? Probably not quite there. "So we've just got to manage him and make sure he's right. Is he going to play every minute of every game between now and the end of the season? Probably not. "He's trained well this week and we'll probably give him a rest on Friday and make sure he's ready for Saturday, but we're as strong in that department as we've been for a while." On-loan midfield pair Matty Dolan (Middlesbrough) and Chris Atkinson (Huddersfield) are both currently vying for a place in Parkinson's starting line-up. "Matty has come in and played really well," Parkinson added. "He couldn't have done much more to stake his claim to keep his place. "Chris Atkinson played at Brentford and worked really hard, but probably needs another game to get really up to speed and obviously Nathan Doyle is playing really well. "So it's good to have that competition there." Parkinson confirmed defender James Meredith remains a long-term absentee after fracturing a bone in his foot in January, but the Bantams boss is delighted with the impact made by Adam Drury, signed on loan from Leeds, in the left-back position. "James has still got a while to go," Parkinson said. "It's four weeks before he goes back to see the specialist and it's one of those injuries that unfortunately, as much as James is determined to get back out on the training pitch, he can't until the specialist is confident everything has healed properly or else he could do himself long-term damage. "Adam's come in and his first two games he's done great for us. "His decision-making on the ball is excellent, he's a very experienced player, a really good professional as well and he fits in with the ethos we want in the football club."Parky: Jones looking strong