BRADFORD CITY AFC

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson believes that City duo Gary Liddle and James Hanson are unlikely to feature in Sunday's mouth-watering F.A Cup first round tie at West Yorkshire neighbours FC Halifax Town.

Liddle missed last Saturday's home fixture with Doncaster Rovers with a hamstring injury, while Parkinson has revealed that Hanson was struggling throughout the Doncaster game with a problem in his thighs.

As a result, Parkinson reckons this Sunday's eagerly-anticipated tie with the Vanarama Conference side will probably come too soon for them both.

Parkinson said: "Lids (Gary Liddle) is almost certainly out for this one. We think Hans (James Hanson) will probably miss it as well.

"He still isn't right - I think all of our supporters could tell last weekend (vs Doncaster) that wasn't the James Hanson out there which started the season.

"He is getting stiffness in both of his thighs so we have sent him to a specialist this week. Ideally if Steady (Jon Stead) hadn't come off last week, we may well have brought James off instead.

"He doesn't feel confident enough to play flat out at the moment - he doesn't feel comfortable enough to do so. When he can though, he is a key player for us.

"We are working towards getting him back to that but my thoughts are that he will miss Sunday."

With Liddle and Hanson expected to be sidelined for the game, Parkinson will also be without Jordan Pickford - ineligible due to the terms of his Sunderland loan deal - meaning Ben Williams will start Sunday's tie in goal.

Parkinson said: "Ben deserves his chance in goal. His attitude has been excellent.

"Like the other two 'keepers we have here, his effort and application in training has been very good.

"When you have a senior professional in the building like Ben, it rubs off on others in and around the squad.

"Ben is ready to play and I am pleased for him that he gets the opportunity to feature in a game which will be reasonably high profile."