Bradford City keeping it simple as they go all out for League Two promotion

Defeat at Swindon Town and even more damagingly Tuesday’s stoppage-time Gillingham equaliser have left the Bantams in the final play-off spot on goal difference, seven points outside the automatic promotion spots.

But Bradford have three games to play whereas the other contenders only have two.

And if City beat Northampton Town on Saturday, wins against Crewe Alexandra and already-promoted Leyton Orient will leave the Cobblers needing to win at Tranmere Rovers to finish above them. A home win on Saturday sends Northampton up.

If it all sounds very complicated for Bradford, it need not be – they just have to win at the weekend and take it from there.

"The circumstances of the game haven't really changed because it was always on the horizon, it was always going to be a big game for us given where we are and where they are," insists Hughes.

"We're still very much of the view we probably need some kind of result, ideally a win.

"League Two is throwing up these head-to-heads which are games of significance and we're involved in them so bring it on.

"The games that have gone before we can't shape any more so we've just got to move on very quickly. We're still very much in the mix so we're really looking forward to these three games."

Adam Clayton and Abo Eisa are available after injury but centre-forward Vadaine Oliver's season has been ended by knee surgery and winger Harry Chapman may need a hamstring operation.