BRADFORD CITY AFC

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson feels his selection options are improving ahead of this Saturday's home fixture with Crewe Alexandra.

After naming four apprentices on his bench as recently as just over a week ago at Milton Keynes Dons in the Capital One Cup, Parkinson should now have a few more of his senior players coming back to him in the games coming up.

Alan Sheehan is pushing for a recall after being an unused substitute during last weekend's draw with Port Vale following a recent suspension.

Another player to make the bench for the Vale game, Matthew Dolan, is also back in contention after a hip problem.

Andrew Davies, who has missed nine games with a broken arm, hopes to be pushing current centre half duo Rory McArdle and Christopher Routis for a spot in City's defensive line up soon, while James Hanson is also making good progress from a thigh injury.

Parkinson said: "Injury-wise, things are definitely looking better for us as we have a few players coming back.

"Andrew Davies is improving all the time. We also obviously had Alan Sheehan and Matthew Dolan back on the bench last weekend, plus James Hanson is definitely getting closer to selection once again.

"He is back up to running at about 90% and we will continue to assess him.

"We'll see how this week's training goes and then decide who we feel is ready for Saturday."

Off the back of last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Port Vale at the Coral Windows Stadium, City go into this weekend's contest with rock-bottom Crewe looking for their first win on home soil since the first day of the season.

City have secured three away wins since their opening day home victory over Coventry City, and Parkinson knows the Bantams need to start bringing their form at Valley Parade in line with their performances on the road.

Parkinson added: "We know our recent points tally for home games is not good. It is something we clearly need to rectify, and we will be trying our hardest to do that against Crewe.

"There is definitely a feeling of frustration in the camp at the moment because our best performances so far this season have been away from home - we can't hide away from that fact.

"We can look for reasons or excuses as to why our recent results at home haven't been as good as they have been away from home, but the bottom line is that we have to do better as a group at Valley Parade."

Parkinson was left fuming by match referee Sebastian Stockbridge's controversial decision to award an early penalty to Vale during last weekend's contest for a supposed hand-ball by McArdle.

A few days on from the highly debatable incident, Parkinson has revealed that the official has actually apologised for his error in judgement.

Parkinson added: "The more you look at the decision, the more you are baffled as to why the referee gave the penalty in the first place.

"I knew the minute it was given that it was the wrong decision. I think our 12,000 or so fans in the stands felt the same way.

"Having seen the DVD footage back though, the referee has now offered us an apology via David Allison, who is in charge of match officials at Football League level."