MICHAEL Duff's duty of protection towards Bradford City striker Jake Beesley is nothing to do with defending his goals record.

The forward may have scored just once since his summer move from Burton Albion, but his value is beyond doubt, according to his manager.

While some would consider it a downside to the club's big home wins against York City and Marine that Beesley has not contributed on the scoresheet, Duff is mindful of the bigger picture.

The target man did not feature in either game due to a slight hip concern.

Bradford City striker Jake Beesley. Photo: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — Bradford City striker Jake Beesley. Photo: Tony Johnson.

With the Bantams not returning to action until Saturday week against Doncaster Rovers, the City chief is looking at the bigger picture regarding Beesley ahead of a run when he will most definitely be needed.

City's forthcoming derby with Rovers starts a run of nine games in 28 days before Christmas, with the hectic itinerary forcing the club to fit in four successive midweek matches.

The schedule also includes three long away trips in league and cup to the south of England. The Bantams face league appointments at Wycombe Wanderers and Bromley during the intense period alongside an FA Cup second-round journey to Dorset to face non-league Wimborne Town.

Duff, whose side have successive home Yorkshire derbies with Rovers and Barnsley when they return to business, said: "Jake's had a niggle in his hip and he's been playing through it as you'd expect because of the sort of person that he is.

Bradford City boss Michael Duff, pictured during the EFL Trophy win over York City. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

"He's played a lot of football.

"He wouldn't have been available for the (this) weekend. He could have got involved (on Tuesday) but (with) bigger picture thinking with the amount of games that we've got when they start up again, we thought it was more important that he gets a bank of training into him than put him at risk in a game.

"You could say, ‘Well, he might have scored a goal or whatever.’ We need to keep him fit and as many bodies fit as possible.

"We got three injuries last Saturday. Jake's been an important player; he will be an important player and when it's Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday like it is up until when we get back from now to Christmas, we need as many players available as possible.

"He's not short of minutes and that's the good bit about Tuesday. There were probably a few that I haven't seen loads of."