Colin Todd tonight sends out City for the first time since Dean Windass left and insists: The show will go on.

The Bantams boss is adamant that his team can cope without their leading scorer.

And he wants the players to back up his confidence against high-flying Tranmere at Prenton Park.

Todd, who had no say in Windass' controversial loan switch to Hull, said: "It's disappointing for me as a manager when I find a player like Deano had to go because of the financial position in the football club.

"It wasn't my call but you have to put it behind you. It's history now; Deano has gone and there's nothing we can do.

"So there is no point in people moaning about it. The show goes on and we've got to look on the bright side and be positive."

As the news broke about Windass, Todd sat down with the rest of the squad to tell them - only to discover that they had already found out.

"Windass had been round and told them so they all knew what I was going to say.

"I said that some of them might be happy and some disappointed. But the bad news is that we've got him back next season!

"But they were fine about it and one player going out isn't going to deter us. We've got nothing to prove at all and there is no pressure from me on any of them."

City had a recent taste of life without Windass when he was sent off against Bournemouth and then banned a further game for collecting five yellow cards. And in the four games without him, the team responded with two wins and a draw.

Todd is boosted by the return of both Eddie and Jermaine Johnson and is convinced City can maintain the recent run of improved form.

He added: "Look at the way we went to Orient and Port Vale when Windass wasn't playing and won both. And I expect us to go there to Tranmere and do well again.

"We've got a game tonight against a team who are right up there and it's a big challenge. But we have a buzz about us from the way we have been playing.

"Windass going doesn't change anything. We still have to make sure that every player does the right thing and if that's the case, we are a difficult team to beat. We've got some great games coming up and it would be nice if we can keep that momentum going."

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