Jim Jefferies must solve a three-into-two puzzle over his centre-halves before Bradford City roar from the blocks in eight days' time.

City face their toughest pre-season challenge tomorrow when Premiership newboys Blackburn visit Valley Parade.

And as Jefferies whittles down his options towards the opening league game against Barnsley, he admits he is still undecided about the centre-back pairing.

David Wetherall will start City's only home friendly as he continues his recovery from groin surgery. And Jefferies could put him alongside Andy Myers, with Robert Molenaar on the bench.

The Bantams boss said: "I've looked at Robert and David together in Northern Ireland as well as Robert and Andy Myers, who did well last season.

"The only combination we haven't seen yet is Wetherall and Myers and that's something I'm considering.

"David has missed a lot of games and I had a word with him to see how he feels. If he was still a few weeks away from full fitness then I would have concentrated on Robert, but David feels fine and says he will know more after playing two more full games tomorrow and at Huddersfield.

"Robert, Andy and Peter Atherton are all fit but David Wetherall has to play. I need to see how fit he is."

Myers played in the middle for the final eight games of last season after Wetherall was ruled out injured.

He said: "The manager's got a choice to make. He can play two big guys or go with me alongside a big guy - but it's good to give him a headache.

"It will make a change to have another centre-half fighting for a place. With Wethers out last year and Gunnar Halle having to fill in, we didn't have the strength in depth.

"It's good to have competition for places this season and you have to really apply yourself in every game if you want to stay in the side." Benito Carbone missed the Northern Ireland tour but is ready to make his bow in a game far tougher than the three City have played so far.

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness has promised to field his strongest side, which should include new faces ex-Rangers defender Tugay and £7 million Italian Serie B striker Corrado Grabbi.

But Lee Makel's chances of joining City seem to be slim. Jefferies admitted: "The wage bill is at its limit so therefore it's difficult to bring in anybody at the moment."