Captain Stuart McCall is among three of Bradford City's most experienced players to be on holiday when the club makes it European debut.

Manager Paul Jewell has confirmed that McCall, striker Dean Saunders and defender David Wetherall will all be missing when the Bantams play their first ever IntertotoCup tie on the weekend of July1-2.

City are due to face the winners of the first round clash between Turkish side Kocaelispor and FK Atlantas of Lithuania.

And with winger Peter Beagrie already ruled out because he is recovering from surgery on his Achilles tendon, it is a real headache for Jewell.

The City boss, who last week returned from a family holiday in Canada, said: "Stuart, David Wetherall and Dean Saunders will all still be away when the Intertoto Cup starts.

"We did not find out until quite late that we would be taking part in the Intertoto Cup and most of the players had already booked holidays.

"These guys worked their socks off for us in 40-odd games last season so it would be unfair to force them to not go on family holidays."

City's late entry into the competition after an Italian club withdrew has caused City to re-schedule pre-season training.

Originally the players were not due to report back for training until July 6 because the Premiership season doesn't start until August 17.

But entry into the Intertoto Cup has meant that Jewell will have to summon most of his men back in on Monday, June 26.

City will have to tailor their preparations to tfit with the demands of their Intertoto Cup commitments.

Theyl face the winners of the Kocaelispor-FK Atlantas clash on successive weekends with a possible two-legged tie against RKC Waalwijk in round three to follow.

That would see City in action on every weekend in July and should they reach the final, they will have played a staggering eight games.

The Bantams will be hoping that gives them a distinct advantage early in the season with their players being match sharp compared to the other top flight clubs who will have only played friendlies.