League rules leave Parkinson with selection dilemma

When taking on Hartlepool United in the second round, the Bantams chief must field at least six of the side that played against Dagenham & Redbridge at the weekend or half dozen of the 11 that have made the most number of appearances this term.

It is a rule that Bradford have fallen foul of in the past when the Football League fined the club £5,000 in 2007 for failing to satisfy the required criteria in a first round tie at Doncaster Rovers that they lost 5-1.

Parkinson said: “The league is always going to be our priority but the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is similar to the Capital One Cup in that we will still be putting out a team we feel capable of winning the game. We want to do ourselves justice and this is a competition we did well in last season.

“To go to places like Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town and win was great for confidence, as was knocking Sheffield Wednesday out at Valley Parade,” he said.

“The lads deserve a lot of credit for creating those memories for everyone.

“There are players who I would like to give a game to, lads who need a run out. Ritchie Jones and Stephen Darby need to play. I would also like to give Scott Brown a chance as he has trained really well of late.

“But my hands are tied to an extent by the rules of the competition so we can only do so much.

“We only have a small squad but I need to make sure everyone is up to speed and two or three of our lads need a game.

“We haven’t had a reserve match for a while because of all the midweek games the club has had in the league and Capital One Cup.”

With Bradford due to host York City in League Two this weekend, Luke Oliver looks to be among those who will not feature tonight after landing awkwardly on his hip at Dagenham & Redbridge.

City will also be without Gary Jones (back) and Kyel Reid (torn groin) when they take on a side sitting second bottom of League One with just six points from their opening 10 games.

Parkinson added: “It is a competition where if you get the attitude right in the early rounds, then as you progress it can become very exciting.

“We received a bye in the first round so now we go to Hartlepool, for what will be a tough game, looking to do well. Our attitude has to be right.

“What we can’t afford to do is be as poor as we were in the first half (at Dagenham), there is no getting away from that.

“But we were totally different after half-time and we have to start strongly (tonight),” stressed Parkinson.

Last six games: Hartlepool United DLDLLL, Bradford City WWWLDL.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).

Last time: Hartlepool United 1 Bradford City 0; October 5, 2010; Football League Trophy.