McCall keen to get key Bradford City duo back from call of duty for TV clash

The Bantams moved above the Iron in the table last Saturday courtesy of a dramatic 2-1 win at home to Swindon Town to set up this Sunday’s game in front of the live Sky cameras.

City will prepare for the Glanford Park trip without either Cullen or Doyle, after the duo were called up by the Republic of Ireland. Cullen is in the Under-21s squad to face Kosovo on Saturday at 1pm, while Doyle is with the seniors ahead of Friday night’s World Cup qualifier against Wales.

McCall said: “I think Colin will be fine because that game is on a Friday. I will have to talk to Martin O’Neill to see if Colin can come back on the Saturday and be involved for Sunday.

“Josh’s game is on a Saturday, a qualifying game against Kosovo. I have given him strict instructions to get sent off after two minutes and get himself back here. No, seriously, he is coming straight back after the game and will be back with the lads in the hotel on Saturday night and wants to make himself available for Sunday.”

Doyle has been an ever-present in the league for City, while Cullen has missed just three league games since joining on loan from West Ham United in August.

“We will have to wait to see what happens on Saturday,” added McCall about Cullen. “It shows his commitment to the club, which is fantastic, but you don’t expect any different from him. I have heard of players doing it before (rushing back to play for their club), certainly up in Scotland, and we will cross the bridge when we come to it, but we would like to think they will both be back available.”