STUART McCall gears up for his Valley Parade return tomorrow, adamant that City will not be "cannon fodder" against Premier League new boys Burnley.

James Hanson and James Meredith are both still missing for the Clarets clash – McCall's first home game in charge since he quit the job the first time in February 2010.

McCall insists the Bantams have identified targets as they look to add to his five signings and beef up a squad that is still short in numbers.

But while they wait for answers, he expects a competitive battle with Sean Dyche's newly-promoted side.

McCall said: "It's obviously going to be a tough encounter. Sean has done a great job there.

"But I thought last season they would do well and bounce back. They've got a good organisation about them and a lot of good professionals in the ranks.

"It's a game we've got to be wary of. We want to get more game time in a lot of the players but we don't want to be cannon fodder.

"We want to get players feeling good about themselves by playing well and there were a lot of good performances the other night. We know the result is not the be all and end all.

"But it's going to be a different type of game. On Tuesday we had a lot of the ball but we are probably expecting to do a lot of work without it tomorrow.

"Burnley are a top-class side and we might have to tinker with the shape a little bit."

Hanson and Meredith will sit out the game again as a precaution. Both missed the St Johnstone loss with slight niggles and McCall refuses to take any chances.

He said: "They are that keen they didn't want to miss out on training because of a little niggle. But it's down to (physio) Chris (Royston) and myself to get them back to 100 per cent.

"If that means missing a week now, I'd rather that than three or four weeks by carrying on.

"They are working really hard with Chris in the gym and the pool and hopefully they'll be available again for training after the weekend."

Youngster Danny Devine could again fill in at left back, rather than Nathaniel Knight-Percival being shifted across. McCall wants to leave Timothee Dieng, who can play centre half, in midfield where he is forming a good understanding with Nicky Law.

McCall is keen to see more progress on the recruitment front but he admits any loan signings might have to wait until after the season is underway.

"As Edin (Rahic) says, we have our hat in the ring with a few players and there's the loan market as well," said the City boss.

"But those are ones that might have to wait until a week before the deadline at the end of August.

"Some of the younger boys at the top level might be looking to go to the Championship before League One, so we might have to wait.

"We're doing a lot of work behind the scenes trying to set things up but we'll have to wait and see. A lot of managers I've spoken to are in a similar boat, wanting more numbers in, but they have to be the right ones."

But while some targets consider their options, McCall insists City will give them a deadline to make up their minds before turning elsewhere.

He said: "That was the case with Jordy Hiwula. We said that if he couldn't make it up to Scotland then we would move on and fortunately we managed to get it done.

"We are still looking at the middle of the park, with one if not two central midfielders, and we'll try to get another striker in.

"Edin and Greg (Abbott) are trying to sort something out to get Vincent Rabiega back in. We want to have another look but it depends if he is fit after his injury.

"What he showed in training and in the small cameo in the Guiseley game suggested he is worth considering again."