Mark Prudhoe is standing by for a rare first team appearance as Bradford City put their eight-match unbeaten home record to the test against in-form Birmingham City at Valley Parade tomorrow.

Regular goalkeeper Gary Walsh missed training yesterday because his father is seriously ill and manager Paul Jewell admitted: "He is a major doubt."

Walsh has missed only one match - Jewell's first game in charge at Stockport in January - since joining City from Middlesbrough in September.

Since then he has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the First Division. Mark Prudhoe stands by for a rare first team appearance if Walsh does not play.

Jewell, who watched as Birmingham were robbed of a deserved victory at Sunderland in midweek when the home side scored a last minute equaliser, left the Stadium of Light impressed with what he had seen.

He said: "They work very hard with a lot of pace up front, their midfield players work their socks off. They are well organised at the back and have the best defensive record in the division.

"But we have got decent form and we have got to keep our home run going.

"I am working for my future at the club and I am asking the players for a final push."

Jewell who has called on his side to show a killer touch that has been missing all season said: "Scoring goals is obviously a problem for us, but the positive thing that I take from our recent matches is that we have been creating chances.

"We had 17 efforts in our 1-1 draw against West Brom last Saturday. So, my message to the players is we must turn our superiority into chances and our chances into goals because goals pay the rent."

Birmingham were rocked last weekend when manager Trevor Francis walked out on the club after his son was insulted by supporters, but he agreed to go back 48 hours later.

This unwanted diversion did not seem to affect the team at Sunderland and their recent form - two wins and two draws - in the last four matches, has lifted them into sixth place, nine points ahead of City.

Birmingham will bring a big following and Jewell said: "Our fans have been brilliant all season and if they get behind us it will be a great atmosphere."

With Andrew Melville having returned to Sunderland after his month's loan spell, Jewell is set to recall 18-year-old Andrew O'Brien to the centre of the defence to play alongside Eddie Youds. They will need to be at their best to cope with Birmingham's lively strikers Peter Ndlovu and Dele Adebola who scored a superb goal at Sunderland.

Striker John McGinlay returns to the squad after recovering from Achilles tendon trouble, but Brazilian striker Edinho is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

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