Benito Carbone has been ruled out of Bradford City's Worthington Cup tie at Third Division Darlington tonight with ankle and shin injuries.

As a result City are likely to move Dean Windass forward to partner Ashley Ward in attack.

Meanwhile, the Bantams have rejected a £250,000 bid from Sheffield Wednesday for transfer-listed midfielder Jamie Lawrence. The offer included an additional £50,000 based on appearances.

But City chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "We consider this to be a derisory offer for a player of Premiership status."

Coach Malcolm Shotton said Carbone received a kick on the ankle and side of the shin during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

"Hopefully he will be back in contention for our Premiership match against Southampton on Saturday," he said.

Shotton praised the start Carbone has made to his City career. "His ability is second to none, but he works far harder than most people realised," he said.

City are without long term injury victims Andrew O'Brien, Andy Myers and Dean Saunders for the match tonight which kicks off at 7.30pm.

But Lawrence is back in training after recovering from a hip injury, as is Lee Sharpe who has missed a week's training with a sore heel. Peter Beagrie, who has been suffering from a calf injury, is not 100 per cent fit.

Shotton said: "You would think we would be favourites, but Darlington are not a bad side.

"We have to make sure we do a professional job and take our chances. The players are up for the game, but we have all played against teams from higher leagues and we know that Darlington will give us a hard game."

A convincing win at Feethams could be just the lift City need after losing their first three away matches in the Premiership without scoring a goal. "We are looking to progress in the competition," said Shotton. "Look at Leicester - they won it and they are playing in the UEFA Cup."

Darlington, who were beaten in last season's Third Division play-off final by Peterborough, command respect after beating First Division side Nottingham Forest 4-3 over two legs in the first round.

The teams drew 2-2 at Feethams and then Darlington won 2-1 at the City Ground in the second leg with goals from Paul Campbell and Stuart Elliott, a recent free transfer signing from Newcastle United.