The 26 year-old striker has played in recent weeks despite back spasms, although it now looks like City will be forced to leave him on the sidelines with the issue not getting any better.
Nathan Doyle is another player unlikely to feature after missing Tuesday's disappointing defeat to Walsall with a groin problem. Oliver McBurnie is doubt as well due to recent illness.
Andy Gray is definitely out because of shingles and joins the likes of Matt Taylor, Kyel Reid and James Meredith on the sidelines.
Lewis Clarkson, however, has given City some positive news on the injury-front after returning to training this week following a knee problem.
Bantams assistant Steve Parkin confirmed: "He (James Hanson) is struggling. He is struggling with this back problem that has been on and off for him for around two or three weeks now.
"It has got to the stage where he will probably miss the game at the weekend. I'd be surprised if he played at the weekend - we'll have to see how he is for Tuesday (vs Coventry City).
"The injury is not improving as we would like and he will be a big miss for us if he doesn't play.
"It is important that the next time we have him available to us - whenever that may be - we get him back 100% fit.
"He probably hasn't had the movement and the freedom to play the way he would have liked in recent games because of the restrictive nature of the injury.
"He has been struggling with the spasms in his back but hopefully the time he has off to rest and recuperate will get him back fit to us soon.
"Along with James, Nathan Doyle is still struggling with a groin problem. He has had the problem on and off for a few weeks now and it seems like it has flared up again, so he will probably miss the weekend as well.
"Oli McBurnie has been off with illness - that is why he missed the Walsall game - so we'll have to see how he is tomorrow (Friday) and how he has recovered.
"Andy Gray has shingles, so he will definitely be off the list of available players to us for the weekend."