City have been hit by a glut of injuries ahead of the Easter double-header.

Peter Taylor is likely to be missing five players at third-placed Bournemouth tomorrow.

Simon Ramsden and Michael Flynn have been joined on the sidelines by Matt Clarke (calf) and Gareth Evans (foot), although the striker has an outside chance. Omar Daley is already ruled out for a month.

Taylor said: “I’ve been quite lucky with injuries since I’ve been here but to have two games in three days is a blow, knowing that if you pick up another one on Saturday, we could be struggling a bit more for Monday.

“But looking at the position of the team, if it means that some youngsters will be on the bench then it’s good experience for them.”

Adam Bolder and Luke Oliver will both feature after extending their loans. And Taylor revealed he would love to keep them beyond that.

“Luke’s contract is up at Wycombe and Adam has another year with Millwall but both would suit me down to the ground. They’ve shown good things here.”

The City chief’s own future is closer to getting settled and he has told the board which players he wants to keep and the areas that need strengthening.

Taylor added: “I think I know the positions and the amount we need. I’m not a million miles away.

“Once I secure everything with my side, I know I can make some really strong enquiries.

“If everybody’s honest, Bradford City have not had the season they wanted, so the more players out of contract probably does the manager a favour.

"It doesn’t mean that we’re not going to keep some of them but it means we’ve got the choice.

“Hopefully we can have a better start next season than this one.”

Taylor handed Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe his England debut with two under-21 caps in the Toulon tournament in 1998.

The City chief said: “Eddie’s a good man and a good professional. He’s done a terrific job there and they have got a really good chance.

“Sometimes it’s crazy what gets players going. The club has financial problems and all of a sudden the spirit gets even higher.

“And Steve Fletcher is a real handful up front. You have to match him in every way.

“It’s going to be a big test but one I want us to enjoy.

“Their fans will see our position in the league and think that we’re not a very good team. Hopefully we’ll show them we’re much better than 16th.”

Howe, whose side sit two points clear of Rotherham, is wary of the Taylor factor.

He said: “We will give Peter a lot of respect because he has done well wherever he has gone. Bradford are a big club for this division and I think he has gone into a really big challenge.

“He has got some good results and is probably gradually trying to change a few things and put his own stamp on it. They will be highly motivated.”