JON WORTHINGTON and Chris Brandon aim to fire themselves into the frame for Saturday's Bradford-Town derby by doing the business for the Reserves tonight.
The fit-again duo are among the side who will take on Nottingham Forest's second string in a Pontin's Holidays League Central Division game at the Galpharm (7.00).
And with the big Valley Parade date looming, they have an added incentive to perform in a game which will also feature fellow midfielder Adnan Ahmed.
While Ahmed has yet to figure at first-team level after breaking a metatarsal in pre-season, skipper Worthington (hernia) and Brandon (ankle) both appeared as substitutes in Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth.
Boss Peter Jackson is desperate to propel his side up the standings, and from a 23-man squad hopes to have all but centre-back David Mirfin (thigh) and striker John McAliskey (on loan at Wrexham) available for a 1.00 kick-off at fourth-placed Bradford.
"It's great to have most players fit, both for training and possible selection for what is certain to be a tough match on Saturday," said Jacko.
"Worthington and Brandon both featured in last week's Reserve match against West Brom and then had 25 minutes or so against Bournemouth.
"I was pleased with both of them and I thought they gave us a pep-up at a crucial time in the game.
"They'd both been out for a while, but they are getting fitter with every training session and tonight's chance is all about sharpening them up still further."
Striker Andy Booth, a scorer when Town won 2-1 at Bradford last season, is back in training after illness kept him out against Bournemouth.
Wideman Danny Schofield, who also missed Saturday's game, is still under treatment for a groin problem but is doing rehabilitation work with physio Lee Martin.
* Former Town defender Simon Webster has quit as physio of Town's League I rivals Gillingham due to family commitments. Coach Bobby Paterson has also departed.
