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McCALL PLANS TO STEP THINGS UP AT GATESHEAD

15 July 2016

Club News

McCALL PLANS TO STEP THINGS UP AT GATESHEAD

15 July 2016

Bantams boss Stuart McCall says he plans to step things up a notch with his players this Saturday when City take part in their second friendly of the summer at Gateshead.

Ahead of the club's week-long stay in Scotland, McCall's men will play the National Conference side at Gateshead International Stadium (kick off 3:00pm) in their latest pre-season fixture.

After giving the vast majority of his squad 45 minutes each during last Saturday's opening friendly at Guiseley, McCall says the plan is to give some players at least an hour under their belts at Gateshead.

Although McCall plans to involve a number of his squad in the match, James Meredith (calf) and James King (ankle) are likely not to be risked at the weekend due to minor injuries.

After playing a part in the Guiseley friendly, apprentices Kwame Boateng and Niah Payne could feature once again at Gateshead after training recently with the first-team.

Speaking to Bantams Player HD from City's Apperley Bridge training ground, McCall said: "We will look to get a lot of them 60 minutes, if not a little bit more than that in the game.

"We have a couple of little injuries in defence that we don't want to risk but we might have one or two new faces on the trip as well.

"James Meredith has a little bit of tightness in his calf. It is nothing major but we would be crazy to take any gambles with him. He is a fit lad and we know what he can do already.

"I know he will want to play but we don't need to risk him against Gateshead.

"Young (James) Kingy also has an injury concern as well.

"We will have a proper look at the side nearer kick off on Saturday but we won't be taking any risks with players at this stage.

"We have Kwame (Boateng) and Niah (Payne) training with us. They have done well so they will be used if needed.

"Like Guiseley, this game will be decent challenge for us but the lads have another week of training under their belt and we are looking to build things up."

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