BRADFORD CITY AFC

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson is confident that the positive vibe around the training ground following the club's clutch of recent new signings can be transferred onto the pitch when City take on Preston North End this Tuesday evening.

Simon Grayson's Lilywhites travel to Valley Parade tonight for City's first home match in 17 days, with as many as four of Parkinson's squad in line for their home debuts.

Aaron Mclean, who made his Bradford bow at Sheffield United last time out, plus loan trio Chris Atkinson, Kyle Bennett and Adam Reach are all in the squad for the Preston fixture.

Parkinson feels the recent changes were needed to be made to give his squad an extra bit of spark and energy for the second part of the season - something that the City chief hopes fans will start to see from tonight.

Parkinson said: "We have changed things around recently, and there should be some new faces on show for the fans to see against Preston.

"I had to make those changes. Some were enforced due to injuries but I also felt we just needed some more energy in the team. We needed some more legs in the midfield department, especially following Kyel Reid's injury.

"Kyle (Bennett) and Adam Reach offer us that threat out wide. With Chris (Atkinson), we had an agreement with Huddersfield as part of the Nahki (Wells) deal that we could bring one of their players in on loan.

"Chris comes in to give us more competition in midfield following Jason Kennedy's loan move back to Rochdale. Chris gives us something different to the midfield players we have already.

"The arrivals have given everyone a lift. We just have to make sure we don't disrupt the team too much by making too many changes too soon.

"Aaron Mclean obviously played his first game for us at Sheffield United but he is now in line for his home debut. He's had another week and a bit of training under his belt since the Sheffield United game which will clearly be beneficial to him.

"The other lads (Chris Atkinson, Adam Reach and Kyle Bennett) will all come into the squad as well.

"We wanted to bring in players who would add something to the squad and I'm pleased with our business in January so far.

"Their arrival has definitely brought a freshness to the squad and around the training ground. I'm sure we can transfer that onto the pitch against Preston. The supporters should notice a slight difference to the team."

Fourth-placed Preston come to Valley Parade this Tuesday looking to close the gap to the League 1 automatic promotion spots.

City's last encounter with Preston came at Deepdale back in October when the two sides played out a highly-entertaining 2-2 draw. Looking ahead to the second Bradford-Preston contest of the season, Parkinson feels tonight's fixture could be equally as exciting.


Parkinson added: "I think it could be an entertaining game again.

"If you look at the game at Deepdale, it was probably one of the best games of the season for a neutral.

"A lot of people who were at that game told me what a fantastic game it was to watch. I don't think this game will be too different.

"Both teams will have some good attacking players on show and both sides, I would imagine, will be entering the game in a positive frame of mind. It should be a good game to watch.

"We haven't played at home for a while and with the added interest of the new lads in the squad, it should be a game to look forward to for us."