David Wetherall will not kick another ball for Bradford City this season.

The Bantams centre-half has been ordered to sit out the remaining six matches of the Premiership campaign to rest his troublesome groin injury.

Wetherall was sidelined for three months following an operation in November and missed the last two games after the problem flared up again.

He is unlikely to need another operation but with City teetering on the brink of relegation, they are not prepared to risk further damage by rushing him back.

Boss Jim Jefferies said: "It's obviously causing David a lot of discomfort and he will be out for the rest of the season. We're just keeping our fingers crossed that it will clear up once he has had plenty of rest.

"David is a crucial member of the plans here and if there is anything wrong we want it cleared up now so that he will be ready for next season."

Wetherall has been linked with Everton, West Ham and Coventry but City have rubbished suggestions they would let him leave.

But Benito Carbone has been earmarked as a possible replacement to Gianfranco Zola at Chelsea.

Blues boss Claudio Ranieri still hopes to persuade Zola to stay on at Stamford Bridge but said: "If he does decide to go then I must have a replacement ready to come in.

"Finding someone to take over will be hard, but we already have some players in mind, and Carbone certainly would be a player we would consider."

Jefferies will have a head count before Saturday's home game with Derby where a defeat could send City down.

His depleted squad has been hit by a training injury to playmaker Eoin Jess while Stuart McCall and Gunnar Halle missed yesterday's session through illness.

But Jamie Lawrence, who has not featured since breaking his hand at the end of February, did well on his comeback for the reserves at Manchester City last night.

Jefferies said: "We can't afford any injuries but we're hoping everyone will be all right. Jamie's coming back and if Gary Locke is not ready for the weekend, he will definitely be fit for the next game. There is no pressure on us and we've done really well in the recent games."