If things had been different, Frank Fielding might have been in the City net tomorrow night.

The England under-21 goalkeeper’s name was always on Stuart McCall’s wish-list but it never happened.

So instead the Bantams will face the familiar task of trying to put one past him at Spotland.

Fielding is back with Rochdale on a second loan spell from Blackburn and looking to break City hearts again.

He made his league debut at Valley Parade for Wycombe in September 2007 and produced a one-man super show to defy the home side.

Then last March, Fielding was at it again with some crucial saves at 0-0 before Rochdale pulled away to a deceptive 3-0 victory – the defeat which sparked City’s play-off collapse.

City are yet to beat Fielding in open play. Their only goal in three games against him was a Luke Medley penalty in a dead rubber on the last day of the 2008 campaign.

The other different face City can expect from the Dale side that demolished them in December is the return of inspirational skipper Gary Jones in central midfield.

Back from a hamstring injury, Jones scored in the 3-1 win over Dagenham that stretched their lead at the top to five points.

Jones said: “This is the strongest squad we’ve had at the club for many years, definitely stronger than the group of players we went to Wembley with for the 2008 play-off final.

“We have competition for places in every department and I really believe this is the year we’ll go all the way.”

Rochdale’s only concern for tomorrow's game is the condition of their pitch.