Sean Scannell could make welcome return for Bradford

Posted Friday, March 22, 2019 by PA

Bradford winger Sean Scannell could return to the squad for the first time in over five months for the visit of Blackpool.

The 28-year-old has been out with a stress fracture of his back but has been training for almost two weeks and could be eased in by boss Gary Bowyer, who is a former Blackpool manager.

On-loan Huddersfield midfielder Lewis O’Brien may return to the starting line-up after the 20-year-old was on the bench for last weekend’s defeat at Oxford.

Playmaker Jack Payne, fit enough only for the bench last week because of a throat infection, is now fine but defenders Kelvin Mellor and Calum Woods are still out.

Blackpool goalkeeper Mark Howard has been ruled out for several months after an Achilles operation on Tuesday and is set to be replaced by Miles Boney.

Northern Ireland midfielder Jordan Thompson is on international duty but there is better news on the fitness front with Ollie Turton back after missing the last two matches with a hamstring injury.

Fellow defender Curtis Tilt has returned to training after missing last Saturday’s defeat at Burton with a recurrence of a hip problem.

Midfielder Callum Guy is available having been sidelined since mid-January with an ankle injury.