BRADFORD City manager Michael Duff admits to facing a real ‘quandary’ regarding who will replace suspended defensive midfielder Callum Connolly in Saturday’s League One derby against former club Huddersfield Town.

The ex-Stockport County man, impressive since joining City in the summer, will sit out the eagerly-anticipated Valley Parade meeting due to a one-match ban after picking up five yellow cards.

On who will replace him, Duff said: "It's a quandary because he's been outstanding in that position this season. But that's part of the job – if it was an easy job, everyone would do it.

"You can't just roll out the same 11, so there's going to be an opportunity for someone, whether we move someone out of position or not.

Bradford City manager Michael Duff during the Carabao Cup, fourth round match at Mbanq Valley Parade, Bradford. Picture date: Tuesday October 27, 2026.

placeholder image — Bradford City manager Michael Duff during the Carabao Cup, fourth round match at Mbanq Valley Parade, Bradford. Picture date: Tuesday October 27, 2026.

"Those conversations have already started. There's been quite a lot of prep on that this morning. We managed to box off the game last night quite quickly.

"As a staff, we stayed at the ground quite late to debrief last night, so we can fully focus on Huddersfield, and that is one of the quandaries of who plays that role."

Duff revealed that striker Stephen Humphreys (back) is likely to be missing once again, while Nick Powell, who missed the EFL Cup win over Peterborough United with tonsilitis, will be assessed.

The City boss added: "I don’t think Stephen is going to be in contention. We’ll just have to see where Nick’s at because it's not an injury, so to speak.

"Other than that, everyone else came through the game last night, which was a positive.”