Ashley Westwood's disappointing start to his Bradford City career has continued after it was revealed he could be out for between six and eight weeks.

The 22-year-old suffered an ankle injury during pre-season training which ruled him out of the start of the current campaign following his £150,000 move from Crewe Alexandra.

Westwood, ironically, made his full City debut against his former club last Friday only to be flattened by an awful challenge by Crewe striker Rodney Jack.

City assistant boss Chris Hutchings said: "There is no fracture but it is bad ligament damage. Unfortunately it is the same ankle he injured in pre-season and that won't help.

"It is a real blow for Ashley as he will probably be out for six to eight weeks. His foot is bandaged up. After a nervous ten minutes when he seemed very keen to impress and was trying a bit too hard against his former club, he did very well so it is disappointing."

Westwood's injury is the second blow for City following the news that Jamie Lawrence had been ruled out for a similar amount of time due to a knee injury.

However brighter news for City is the possible return of full backs Stephen Wright and Lee Todd in the near future.

Wright sustained a thigh strain in the third game of the season at Watford while Todd was hit by a groin injury during the first leg of the first round Worthington Cup tie with Lincoln City.

Hutchings said: "Stephen has joined in for the last two training sessions and has suffered no reaction so he may come into contention for a place in the squad travelling to Ipswich.

"Toddy is doing strength work at the moment with a lot of running and we hope he may be able to play for the reserves at York next Wednesday."

City were due to play Tranmere tomorrow night but because the Birkenhead club have three players off on Under 21 international duty, the game has been postponed.

Hutchings believes City being without a game this weekend has both good and bad points for City.

"After our win over Birmingham it would have been nice to play this weekend and try and build on that win.

"That win was a long time coming and it was frustrating that we were playing well and not getting the results. When that happens it affects confidence so to win was great for us.

"However it is a two-way thing as having no game this weekend gives players more time to shake off any injuries or knocks.

"Stuart McCall has come through both games OK last weekend but his ankle is a little bit sore. It is nothing serious but it is good to have that little bit more time to recover."

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