CITY will not make a song and dance about returning to the play-offs, insisted Kenny Black.

The Bantams go into tomorrow’s final league game at Rochdale already secured in the top six.

But assistant boss Black is confident that will not affect the mind-set against a side who still have an outside chance to join them.

The semi-final first leg is just five days away but Stuart McCall’s men have kept it business as usual in the build-up.

Black said: “They are a level-headed bunch and will never get above themselves.

“We’ve achieved the play-offs but we’re not going to shout from the rooftops and book an open top bus.

“We’ve got a semi-final whoever that might be against and then if we get through that, there’s a final to look after.

“We know how football is and nobody’s getting carried away. We know there are some tough games ahead of us.

“But we’ve got ourselves cemented in the position, so there are no finger nails being bitten.

“The players have had their days off this week but they’ve come back and trained well. The attitude and desire is there and they want to be successful – that carries right through the club.”

City thumped Rochdale 4-0 in November – their biggest win of the campaign. But Dale, currently eighth, can grab the last play-off spot with a victory and a couple of slips from Millwall and Southend.

Black added: “Rochdale are a dangerous side. They’ve had a fantastic season and have got a really good home record.

“Stuart and I saw them recently at Bury and at home to Millwall. They’ve got players who can hurt you.

“But I think it’s probably better that they’ve got something to play for.

“We’ll take a good support because a few weeks ago, it could have had the makings of automatic promotion. Obviously that’s gone now but certainly we’re going to have to be at our best.

“We don’t want to go through the motions. There’s a bit of momentum going right now and we’d like to carry that on.”

McCall is still expected to make changes with the play-offs in mind.

Right back Stephen Darby is poised for a first start since mid-February – potentially his final league appearance with his City contract up in the summer.

The former skipper said: “We want to keep good habits going into the play-offs. It’s important we keep the performances levels high.

“Rochdale have got plenty to play for and will come out flying. But I’m sure we will be ready to compete as we have done for 45 league games this season.

“There is that fear of injuries or suspensions but that’s the same for every side going into the play-offs. You’ve got to be clever and professional about it.

“We still want to go out there and win and take that momentum into the first leg on Thursday. The only way we can do that is to approach it 100 per cent.

“There’s always a good atmosphere at Rochdale with the full away end and that makes for a big occasion.”