A host of Avenue players will miss out when the side finally take to the field tonight for their first game of the New Year.

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

But, much to the delight of all Bradford followers, keeper Lutz Pfannenstiel returns from his injury nightmare for the visit of Ossett in the third round of the UniBond League Challenge Cup at Horsfall Stadium.

And the German keeper is full of confidence ahead of 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 horror collision.

"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 out the game with his five-booking suspension but teenage striker Anthony Bingham returns from his ban to start.

Meanwhile defender Matt Daly has been released, signing for Farsley Celtic last night, paving the way for the arrival of another defender ahead of the next league game against Harrogate Town on January 29.

"It has been a hell of a long time since we last played," said manager Trevor Storton, keen to see his side in action for the first time since the 2-2 draw with Stalybridge last year.

"We really want to get back out there. The extra time has helped give Lutz time to recover and young Andy Quinn but we really want to play again soon."

Avenue are without a league win since November 9, but were getting back to form ahead of the visit of Harrogate, only for the game to be suspended after Pfannenstiel's injury with the home side on top. "We were just starting to turn the corner," added Storton.

"Things were coming together nicely but we now haven't played for a while.

"We want to get back to it as soon as possible before we slide too far down the league.

"We have been training very hard and everyone wants to get back to playing again. It has been a long time since we won games and we need to get back into the habit."

Victory tonight would give Avenue an away tie at Radcliffe Borough in the cup quarter-finals a week on Saturday.