Neville Southall has revealed how his love of playing football is behind him joining Bradford City at an age when most players have long since retired.

The 41-year-old Welsh legend today trained with his team-mates for the first time and is set to take his place on the bench with on-loan Sheffield United keeper Aidan Davison in goal for tomorrow's clash with Arsenal.

Gary Walsh and Matt Clarke have both been ruled out through injury so Davison steps in to face the Gunners' firing squad.

Speaking exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus before training this morning, Southall said: "I just love playing the game and it will be brilliant for me to be involved in the Premiership again.

"Every game is a big game at this level but I also hope I won't get on the field because Aidan is the first-choice goalkeeper."

Southall, who is three short of 1,000 domestic league and cup appearances and played 92 games for Wales, has joined City on a match-by-match basis after leaving Third Division Torquay United earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Davison is determined to be City's lucky omen tomorrow. The on-loan keeper knows what is needed to beat the Gunners after being part of the Bolton side which won 3-1 at Highbury in a 1994 FA Cup fourth round replay.

He said: "The last time I played against Arsenal I was on the winning side - it would be great to repeat that.

"I am looking forward to it. I was on a Bosman free transfer during last summer and chose my new club carefully and thought I had made the right choice with Sheffield United.

"Unfortunately it hasn't worked out that way so it has been a frustrating season for me. But this is a chance for me to rescue something from the season.

"This is a huge stage for me. Arsenal are a team full of stars and these are the games you love to play in."

Striker Lee Mills looks set to miss the game with a hamstring injury which means Dean Windass and Dean Saunders may again link up.

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