After 25 days without a match, Trevor Storton's men are hoping to run out under the repaired floodlights at Horsfall Stadium tonight for their long-awaited UniBond League Challenge Cup third round clash with Ossett.

The players were given a gruelling session on Saturday morning but were unable to find any way to train on Monday after the last-minute cancellation of a reserve fixture against Guiseley.

So at last an opportunity will be presented but a host of Avenue players will contintue to miss out when the side finally take to the field tonight for their first game of 2003.

With three players cup-tied, one suspended and another released this month, there will be four familiar names missing, and some unfamiliar ones on the bench.

But, much to the delight of all Bradford followers, keeper Lutz Pfannenstiel returns from his injury nightmare.

And the German keeper is full of confidence for his return.

"I have been training now for a week," said Pfannenstiel, given the kiss of life on the field by physio Ray Killick on Boxing Day after a nasty collision in the club's last home game.

"We were playing five-a-side the other day and I was diving at people's feet with no worries.

"I am not scared to come back, I am just looking forward to it."

The keeper is assured a place as replacement Jamie Holmshaw is cup-tied, as are new signings Simon Collins and Andrew Wright, both yet to appear at home this season. Andy Hayward will sit the game out with his five-booking suspension but teenage striker Anthony Bingham returns from his ban to start.

Andy Quinn has recovered from an ankle injury but Jason Maxwell, who fractured a cheekbone against Accrington Stanley last year, is still two or three weeks away from fitness.

Storton has been trying hard to organise friendly matches but continuing floodlight problems put a halt to the proposed run-out against Brighouse Town and his plan to send out the first team in a second-string clash at Guiseley was stopped by the rain.

"The situation is not a good one," said Storton.

"We need to get some football under our belts as soon as possible.

"We were beginning to turn a corner but we haven't played since.

"We are sliding down the league and will only have to play the games midweek later in the season. We just need to get some games under our belt." Victory tonight would give Avenue an away tie at Radcliffe Borough in the quarter-final a week on Saturday. Fans wishing to attend tonight's clash at the Horsfall Stadium should ring the Avenueline on 09066 555 852 to check the game is on.