Colin Todd has one message for in-form Colchester: Bring 'em on.

City are gearing up for a clash with the Essex side, who have won a staggering 18 games out of 20.

That is a red-hot run that even Chelsea cannot match and has also earned them an FA Cup fifth-round glamour tie at either Stamford Bridge or Everton.

But Todd is relishing the prospect of halting the Colchester bandwagon at Layer Road on Saturday - the first of three tough away trips coming up.

"We've got some great games away to sides at the top," he said. "We go to Swansea after Colchester and then there's Brentford to come later on.

"It's a tremendous challenge for us but I'm sure we will rise to it. At the moment Colchester seem unstoppable but we'll give it a real go."

Todd is hoping that Steve Schumacher will be fit to rejoin training this week after missing the last four games with an ankle injury he suffered against Brentford.

He is the only likely addition to the squad that drew 0-0 with Tranmere, with no last-minute business anticipated before the transfer window shuts at midnight.

The Bantams boss admitted his side had missed the chance to put pressure on the play-off places after their latest stalemate.

"The boys went out with a real positive frame of mind and our approach play in the first half deserved some reward. But they were two contrasting halves - the opposition didn't change their tactics but just worked harder after the break and we didn't accept our responsibilities.

"But we've only lost one in eight and if you consider the result at Yeovil then we've taken four points from the last two games.

"If we can keep up that ratio then we're on course. But in our position we do need the wins."

Meanwhile, striker Michael Symes has joined League Two strugglers Stockport on an initial month's loan.

Symes, whose City contract is up at the end of the season, only recently returned from a serious ankle ligament injury he suffered in July when he was poised to join Macclesfield for six months.

He has played two games for the reserves since rejoining the squad and scored a 30-yard stunner against Sheffield United's second string at Valley Parade last week.