There is no doubting that injured Bradford City defender John Dreyer has a soft spot for today's opponents Oxford United because they launched his career 15 years ago.

Naturally, he wants City to win at the Manor Ground, but he is also anxious for the future of financially stricken Oxford who are £13 million in debt.

"It's a sad situation at Oxford," he said. "I can't believe the club are £13 million in debt.

"It doesn't look good for a potential buyer to have pay off debts of that size and then have to develop a club.

"Oxford gave me my chance in football and I will always feel indebted to them. I wish them well and hope for the best."

Although off the field debts put Oxford's future in considerable doubt, Dreyer has no fears about the club's future on the field thanks to character of their manager Malcolm Shotton.

Dreyer, who was due to watch today's match from the stand, said: "Malcolm was my captain at Oxford and, knowing him as I do, he will have the players' minds on the job. He is a good motivator and is 100 per cent in everything he does."

Shotton is certainly doing a good job at Oxford since despite the off-the-field distractions they went into today's match with three consecutive wins behind them - a point acknowledged by Dreyer.

He said: "What looked like a possible easy game for us four weeks ago has become a difficult match.

"Sometimes when things are going on around you about which you cannot control and the odds are stacked against you this sort of adversity brings people together and builds team spirit.

"Dean Windass, the striker they bought from Aberdeen, has done a good job and I think Joey Beauchamp, who has turned down various moves recently, has the ability to play in the Premiership.

"I am just hoping that the club get through their present problems."

Dreyer, who missed the second half of last season with a foot injury, has had more wretched luck recently.

He won back his place in the side early in the season and formed a strong central defensive partnership with Darren Moore, bringing experience and balance as a left sided player to the heart of City's defence.

But he has not played since the 5-0 home win against Bristol City five weeks ago because of a troublesome foot and toe injury.

And the news that the club were this week prepared to pay £1.25m for Sheffield Wednesday centre back Jon Newsome was not what he wanted to hear.

He said: "There was no one around me, it was a totally innocuous incident. It is a foot injury, but part of my toe is affected as well. I have ripped the ligament off the bone and some of the bone as come off as well.

"It will take as much time as a break to heal. It is a very unusual injury I have been told.

"Progress has been slow, but the injury has settled down. I have stepped my training, but I am still not running. I hope to increase my training next week.

"It is a frustrating time being out of the team because now I have to start all over again and get myself fit.

"The injury came at a bad time, but when do injuries come at a good time. Everything was looking good. Darren was taking responsibility for heading the balls away and I was doing the covering.

"Now, there is all the speculation about a new centre half and at this stage of career I need to be playing.

"I know I am not the future of the club, but I am the present and that is why I want to make the most of my time now.

"Left sided centre halves are at a premium - I wish I was just starting my career."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.