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Club News

McCALL | PLACES STILL UP FOR GRABS

29 July 2016

Club News

McCALL | PLACES STILL UP FOR GRABS

29 July 2016

Bantams boss Stuart McCall says his players will be playing for their place in City's season opener when they take to the field for Saturday's (30 July 2016) friendly with Carlisle United.

Just a week before City's first game of the new 2016/2017 campaign against Port Vale at the Northern Commercials Stadium, McCall's men will entertain League Two side Carlisle in their final scheduled pre-season fixture of the summer.

After missing the Bantams' most recent friendlies due to minor injury, James Hanson and James Meredith are expected to come back into the side for the visit of the Cumbrians.

Paul Anderson and Tony McMahon have been troubled by knocks during the week but the duo are likely to be available for this weekend's match as well.

With new recruit Romain Vincelot also looking for his first action in claret and amber since signing from Coventry City last week, McCall admits that starting places are still up for grabs for the Vale curtain-raiser.

McCall said: "I wouldn't say for certain that the side that starts on Saturday will be the same team that starts against Port Vale.

"We have some of the lads who could do with a bit more game-time. 

"Both Hans (James Hanson) and Mez (James Meredith) have come through training fine in the last couple of days and they are chomping at the bit to be involved. They will both start.

"Romain Vincelot has also looked good in training and has great fitness levels but he's only played two 45 minutes for Coventry this pre-season.

"He's picked up a little niggle after failing awkwardly with Fil(ipe Morais) during training. They both got a bit of a sore ankle but they should be fine. 

All being well, Romain will start on Saturday as well - he is desperate to get going.

"We've had some good individual performances in the last few games and I want the players to go out on Saturday and really make a statement.

"I want them to show me that they want to get in that starting eleven for the Port Vale game.

"We know we need to add extra depth to the squad but we still have quality players in different areas of the pitch. 

"It would be nice to have a couple of pleasing selection dilemmas after Saturday."

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