Bradford City aim to crown memorial fixture in fitting fashion - as Graham Alexander is handed dual boost

Like last May, the Bantams again welcome Red Rose opposition with Bolton Wanderers arriving this Saturday. Just under 12 months ago, it was Fleetwood Town, with City claiming three points in the most dramatic way possible to secure automatic promotion back to the third tier.

Victory against Wanderers would not clinch promotion via the conventional route. But it would confirm a top-six finish and play-off ticket for City.

Last season's events against Fleetwood coincided with the fortieth anniversary of the Valley Parade Fire Disaster, where 56 fans perished back in May 1985.

As with every year, City players, staff and supporters will pay their respects in their memorial fixture this weekend, Like last year, the on-pitch action has plenty riding on it.

Manager Graham Alexander said: “It's a big day for us with the memorial fixture and the crowd will be a bumper crowd.

"I think there is a laser-like focus now about the job in hand as the games are coming to the final stretch.

"I quite like that because I think there is a point in any season where, if you want to be successful, where there's a pinch point.

"To do it on Saturday would be a great thing for us. But you have to not focus on what it means if we get the three points, we've got to focus on what we have to do to get those three points.

"Bolton are a really good team as well and have the same ambitions as us. Maybe they maybe started off with different ambitions at the start of the season, but we have the same ones now."

A draw would also secure a play-off spot for fourth-placed City if Luton Town fail to bear Barnsley.

Meanwhile, Alexander are allayed fears regarding a lay-off for last season's promotion hero Antoni Sarcevic, who has been struggling with an ankle issue.

The veteran missed Tuesday night's draw with Plymouth Argyle, with the problem restricting his involvement with the squad last week.

But a scan has confirmed that the issue is not serious and Sarcevic should be available for 'one if not both' of the club's remaining two league fixtures.

Alexander confirmed: "There’s no major damage but there’s a lot of scar tissue from the past 12-13 years.

"I think he’s going to have an injection and it will calm down. Then we’ll see how long it will be until his availability. It’s either this weekend or next but he will be available for one if not two."

Meanwhile, the City boss has revealed that Bobby Pointon is willing to 'risk' a quick fix on his own ankle problem to put his hand up for team selection.

On ten-goal Pointon, who has not featured since scoring in the Easter Monday win at Wycombe, Alexander said: "Because of the nature of Bobby’s injury, if it had been four or five months ago I think he might have gone along a different course of action and looked at longer term.

"But because it’s a few games - two, three, whatever it is - he wants to go down the more risky route but a quicker opportunity to be involved again.

"That’s purely on Bobby to make that decision. There’s no pressure from us to do that but he obviously wants to play the games."