BRADFORD City Women head to Derby County tomorrow hoping to overcome a growing injury list and progress in the FA Women's Premier League Cup.

Midfielder Hannah Smith was stretchered off in Tuesday's draw with Huddersfield, the third player to have needed this action during the season.

Yet after a strong midweek performance, player-manager Charlotte Stuart remains upbeat ahead of the cup clash.

She said: "We have been so unfortunate with injuries this season. It's certainly the most we have ever had.

"Hannah's injury isn't quite as bad as we originally thought, thankfully. She has soft tissue damage in her ankle so she will be out for hopefully no longer than a month.

"Tuesday was one of our best all-round performances so far this season. We controlled the game from start to finish, so to carry on from there is the key this Sunday."

Ellie Olds is likely to come into the team in Smith's absence, having scored City's equaliser off the bench at Huddersfield last time out.

But with striker Bryony Hanson absent, the midfielder could be played in a more advanced role, meaning Yasmin Ayub could also start after appearing as a substitute against the Terriers.

Emily Cassidy's return to fitness also bolsters Stuart's midfield options as the Bantams look to get revenge over the only team to defeat them in their last six games.

"We 100 per cent owe them for that loss the other week," said Stuart, with City going down 2-1 against the Rams in the league.

"Even though we didn't play well in that game, we certainly feel like we deserved more from it.

"But we have the chance to get some revenge this weekend, building on Tuesday and the promising start to our cup campaign."