Bradford City winger Lee Sharpe is to undergo a scan on his injured ankle after his planned recovery fell behind schedule.

The former England international damaged ligaments during City's final pre-season game at home to Barnsley after landing awkwardly in the early stages.

Sharpe then spent a couple of weeks on crutches and it was hoped that the injury was healing well enough to make him available for selection later this month.

However, City manager Paul Jewell said: "Sharpey's recovery has been coming along very, very slowly in the last couple of weeks and we want to find out why.

"His recovery appears to have levelled out so he is having a scan today in the hope that we can discover what is wrong."

Sharpe's setback is a blow for City because the opening weeks of the season have seen them fail to create enough clear-cut openings, and he would undoubtedly bring some variety to the Bantams attack.

Jewell is, though, boosted by the news that Isaiah Rankin's recovery from injury is going well, with the City boss saying the former record signing "isn't too far away from a return".

The 21-year-old, who joined City from Arsenal a year ago in a £1.3 million deal, had enjoyed an encouraging pre-season, his pace creating countless scoring opportunities for himself.

However, he tore his hamstring in the 2-0 friendly defeat at Scarborough in July, but has reacted well to treatment and is back in full training.

Ashley Westwood - City's other main injury victim - is struggling to shake off the knee problem which has ruled him out for the past two weeks.

It has been another frustrating start to the campaign for the former Crewe man, who missed the opening games of the season through injury.

Jamie Lawrence missed last weekend's clash with West Ham with a thigh strain, while Lee Mills started on the bench due to picking up an injury eight days earlier.

However, with City not playing until Sunday week, when Tottenham Hotspur will be the visitors to Valley Parade in front of the Sky Television cameras, the Bantams are hoping both men will be fit to face George Graham's side.

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