Marc Bridge-Wilkinson has never lost a derby game - and does not want that to change against Huddersfield tomorrow.

City's on-loan winger is set for his Valley Parade debut in the highly-charged atmosphere of a West Yorkshire showdown.

But battles for local pride are nothing new for Bridge-Wilkinson, who has experienced the fierce rivalry in the Potteries.

He said: "I've played in two for Port Vale against Stoke and they are quite harsh games.

"They start off very fast and furious and if a few tackles fly in then it can be like that for 90 minutes.

"We were the underdogs in both games but won one and drew the other. So hopefully that's something which will stand me in good stead for tomorrow.

"You need to stay calm in derbies and not get het up by the occasion. You try to treat it like any other game but you know that it's not.

"You can gather this means a lot from talking to people. This is something that the Bradford fans have looked forward to and we don't want to let them down.

"It was a bit awkward for me last week having come straight in. I felt sometimes I wasn't quite sure what everyone else was doing and I'm sure the other players were the same with me.

"But we've had a week's training together now and hopefully they've seen what I'm about. I've certainly been impressed with the lads and hopefully we can play well tomorrow when it matters."

Bridge-Wilkinson replaced Nicky Summerbee at Walsall and is likely to keep his place even if, as expected, the influential winger is fit to return.

Colin Todd, who may shift Bridge-Wilkinson to the left where he played the second half last week, sees midfield as the key area.

"That's where it will be won or lost," he said. "That's why Bridge-Wilkinson is going to be very important for us, whether it's on the wing or in the central positions. He is capable of performing at a much higher level because he is an intelligent player.

"And hopefully Summerbee can come back in which would be another big bonus for us."

City have gone ten games since a home win, equalling a club record, and will be chasing only their second double over Huddersfield. The previous home and away success was 83 years ago.

But Todd said: "Stats are there to be broken and we're not worried about that. It was so long since we'd won at Sheffield Wednesday but we went there and got the result.

"Players would like to be involved in derbies every Saturday because of the atmosphere that surrounds them. And there is nothing better than to be beating your nearest rivals."

l Mark Paston has left Walsall by mutual consent. He played only 11 games after leaving City in the summer.