Bradford City v Morecambe – Sam Hornby keen to stay on track as Bantams’ first-choice
When Bradford City’s Richard O’Donnell was ruled out for up to 12 weeks of one of the most hectic seasons English football has ever known, his deputy Sam Hornby must have been hoping for a real opportunity to show what he can do.
With his contract up at the end of the season, it was probably important he did.
The Bantams declined the opportunity to sign a stand-in in January, bringing Will Huffer in to deputise for Hornby.
But with O’Donnell back in training and closing in on a return, postponements caused by the weather and Covid-19 mean tonight’s League Two visit of Morecambe will only be his sixth start since the City captain tore his thigh in late December.
“I thought I’d get a really good run in the team and the games would come thick and fast,” says Hornby. “It’s been stop-start but hopefully now I can keep my place and really kick on and play the remainder of the fixtures.
“It’s brilliant that Richard’s coming back from injury and he’s healed.
“It’s good to have three of us there at training pushing each other.
“It’s competition that everyone wants, keeps us on our toes and is something we will all relish and should thrive off.
“It brings out the best in everyone.”
The 26-year-old insists his contract situation has not been a distraction, though.
“I’d love to stay here, that’s obvious because it’s a brilliant football club,” he said.
“But I’ve got to focus on the games. It’s time to knuckle down with them and then the other stuff will look after itself.”
Last six games: Bradford City LWWDDW; Morecambe DDLWWD
Referee: A Young (Swindon)
Last time: Bradford City 1 Morecambe 0, January 1, 2020, League Two.
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