City captain Richard O’Donnell is set to miss up to 12 weeks of action - having sustained a torn thigh injury.
The goalkeeper missed the Bantams’ last Sky Bet League Two outing at home to Port Vale, and saw a specialist yesterday (Monday January 4) who assessed the full extent of his injury.
O’Donnell has made 24 appearances so far this season - keeping five clean sheets - and a total of 107 in claret and amber, since signing from Northampton Town in 2018.
He said: “It is very disappointing to have been ruled out, particularly given the form we are currently on and how much we are all enjoying our football.
“I am gutted to not be able to help the team continue picking up points, but will be doing everything I can to support the boys while unable to play.
“I would like to thank everyone for the many well wishes I have received over the past week or so, and am working hard to be back in contention as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, defenders Bryce Hosannah and Reece Staunton are on course to return to training from February, having been ruled out with hamstring problems.
Zeli Ismail is progressing through rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on his hamstring injury - sustained in November’s Emirates FA Cup second-round meeting with Oldham Athletic - and is around 12 weeks from returning.