Bury vs Bradford AFC - Shakers will check on Brown and Riley ahead of Bradford clash

Posted Friday, March 04, 2016 by PA

Bury will check on defenders Reece Brown and Joe Riley ahead of Saturday's Sky Bet League One home clash with Bradford, while Jacob Mellis is set to miss out.

Brown was ruled out of the 3-1 win over Peterborough on Tuesday through illness, while fellow defender Riley sustained a back problem in the pre-match warm-up.

Mellis then hobbled off in the first half having sustained possible ankle ligament damage.

Fellow midfielder Kelvin Etuhu (hamstring) is still absent, along with goalkeeper Rob Lainton (groin).

Bradford boss Phil Parkinson is hoping striker Wes Thomas can overcome a groin strain in time to resume up front.

Thomas was forced out of the midweek home defeat to Colchester after scoring his first goal for the club but has not been ruled out.

Parkinson will also monitor on-loan West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen, who was withdrawn against Colchester after taking a knock on the dead leg he sustained in last week's win at Blackpool.

Fellow Hammer, defender Reece Burke, missed out on Tuesday night due to an ankle injury and remains doubtful, while striker Steve Davies, waiting to learn the full extent of his knee injury, is out.