Oxford v Bradford City: Bantams in it for the long haul as they look to reach Wembley

Bradford City manager Stuart McCall (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).

For the second successive Tuesday, the Bantams head to Oxford United looking to book a place in the Checkatrade Trophy semi-finals.

Last week’s tie was postponed just minutes before the scheduled kick-off time due to the Kassam Stadium pitch being deemed unfit by referee Dean Whitestone despite two inspections having taken place in the previous 30 or so hours.

It means if City do progress tonight that Stuart McCall’s men will have chalked up a near 1,300-mile road trip to reach the last four. With the semi-final draw handing tonight’s victors a trip to either Luton Town or Yeovil Town, another Bradford triumph will mean the squad having travelled either 1,800 or 2,000 miles to reach the Wembley final on April 2.

Contrast that to the 699 miles that last season’s winners Barnsley chalked up en route to meeting Oxford in the final and it underlines just how ridiculous the Football League’s decision to abandon the regional element of the Trophy in favour of an open draw from the third round onwards has been.

“We want to keep progressing in the Trophy,” said McCall, whose side have also had to travel to Cheltenham and Morecambe in the Trophy this season.

“You only have to look at Barnsley (last season) for the benefits that a run in this competition can bring.”

Ryan McArdle will again start in defence after scoring in the weekend win over Rochdale.

Last six games: Oxford United WWWLWW Bradford City DWWLWDW.

Referee: D Whitestone (Northamptonshire).

Last time: Oxford United 1 Bradford City 0; October 15, 2016; League One.