Fed-up City fear another beating from the dismal weather tomorrow night.

The Bantams have played only once since New Year's Day - and face a second successive blank at waterlogged Gigg Lane.

Referee Mike Oliver plans to hold a pitch inspection at 12.30pm. But with more rain forecast, the prospects are not looking good.

Bury's home game against Stockport on Saturday was washed out and the persistent bad weather has prevented ground staff from being able to work on the pitch since and risk making it worse.

City were also weather victims at Rochdale and are desperate to kick a ball in anger.

McCall put his players through their paces as normal in training yesterday but admitted the hold-ups are driving everyone mad.

"We've got to prepare as if the game will go ahead," said McCall. "Mentally it's important that we think like that and get the proper work done for it.

"The lads have had a couple of good sessions on the artificial surface at Marley Stadium but you don't want to be on that four or five times a week. You have to be careful with players who've got susceptible joints and grass is much truer.

"But frustrating is the word for everyone, especially when we've started the new year like we have with two victories. The lads are hungry to go on and continue the run while the supporters want to see the momentum build and will be planning to travel in big numbers."

Bury, without a win in eight league games, have dropped like a stone - costing Chris Casper his job in charge. But they dumped Norwich out of the FA Cup and face a fourth-round trip to Southampton on Saturday.

McCall said: "I've seen Bury a couple of times this season and thought they were the better side against Hereford. They were also excellent at Leeds in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy so we know they can produce good stuff on their day.

"Teams who've just lost their manager are always unpredictable to start with, which makes them dangerous. You go out to win every game but there is the added incentive for the players knowing that their next manager could be watching in the stand.

"It's always disappointing for a player when a manager loses his job and they've got to take some responsibility. But you've seen the response with a well-deserved win against Norwich which will have restored a lot of confidence.

"They've got Southampton coming up but I don't think they'll take their eye off the ball. From a personal point of view, I would be doing everything I can in the game tomorrow night to make sure I'm involved in the cup tie."

With such little recent action, McCall has virtually a fully fit squad. The only absentee remains Mark Bower, who is celebrating the birth of his daughter Freya as he recovers from a torn cartilage.

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