Bradford City lose Richard O'Donnell for 16 matches and Leeds United loanee Bryce Hosannah until February

The news on O'Donnell in particular is a huge blow to a side which has recovered form and confidence under caretaker managers Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars.

O'Donnell missed the year-ending League Two game against Port Vale, where Sam Hornby deputised and kept a clean sheet, City's sixth of the campaign. Until that point the only matches O'Donnell had missed this season were in the Football League Trophy

On Monday a London specialist told O'Donnell he could miss up to 12 weeks with the problem.

Although he will be unable to contribute on the field, the 33-year-old promised to keep leading off it.

“It is very disappointing to have been ruled out, particularly given the form we are currently on and how much we are all enjoying our football,” he said.

“I am gutted to not be able to help the team continue picking up points, but will be doing everything I can to support them while unable to play.

“I would like to thank everyone for the many well wishes I have received over the past week or so, and am working hard to be back in contention as soon as possible.”

Highly-rated young defenders Hosannah and Reece Staunton are yet to play for the new managerial duo because of hamstring problems, and have been told not to expect to return until February.

Like O'Donnell, Zeli Ismael is around 12 weeks from playing again after surgery on a hamstring injury picked up against Oldham Athletic in November's FA Cup tie.

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