PHIL Parkinson is confident City can breathe new life into their play-off bid as they begin an “11-game season”.

The Bantams, like most of a compacted division, are involved in a straight shoot-out over the next six weeks for two play-off spots.

The top four places have effectively been sewn up to leave the rest scrapping for fifth and sixth.

Parkinson gave his squad an extra day off this week to get their FA Cup heartache out of the system and believes heads and minds are clear for the fight ahead.

He said: “We’ve had a break and everyone came back in fresh yesterday. The cup run is over and we now start an 11-game season.

“We’ve come through the negativity of losing on Monday and the effect of playing four games in nine days. But playing on Monday has given us a breather before the weekend.

“Everybody needed those couple of days off to recharge the batteries and stay away from the training ground.

“Now we’re ready to go again in this mini-league for the final two play-off places.”

Parkinson was on the west coast on Tuesday to watch Fleetwood, whose visit tomorrow is the first of three straight home games. Oldham and Chesterfield then follow at Valley Parade but the City boss is not looking past the Cod Army.

“We’ll take one at a time and Fleetwood have had a good season,” he added.

“I went to see them on Tuesday against Coventry and it was a very tight game up to the last couple of minutes.

“Like a lot of teams at this level there was very little to choose between them. That is backed up by the tightness of the league table.

“We had a good game at their place and know they are a decent side – and so are we. We’ve had a good season up to this point and we’re starting again tomorrow.”

Andrew Davies has missed the last two games with the bruised arm he suffered at Coventry and is struggling again to feature this weekend.

Gary MacKenzie is expected to deputise and Parkinson believes the competition for places within the squad will stop anyone feeling jaded from their cup exertions.

He said: “We’ve got to avoid that and I’m sure we will. Everyone knows we have got the chance to finish the season on a real high.

“We’ve got players like Chris Routis, Matty Dolan, (Francois) Zoko, Yeatesy (Mark Yeates), Gary MacKenzie and Alan Sheehan who haven’t played a lot of games.

“They are chomping at the bit to be involved as much as they can as well as the others who have been playing more often.

“We will be looking to utilise everyone in the squad during these remaining games.”

Parkinson remains open-minded about doing some late business before the emergency loan window shuts at 5pm on Thursday. The situation with Davies could also be a factor.

“He’s still struggling with his arm,” said Parkinson. “There has been some slow improvement but he will be doubtful for the Fleetwood game.

“We’re going to have a look at Andrew over the next couple of days. There are one or two other things to consider.

“You can never say never (about signing another loan player). We can attract players who want to come to Bradford City, no worries about that.

“It’s just getting the right one in for what we want and getting someone we know would make a difference.”