IT IS billed as a night for Manchester City's development side but it is the Bantams' own crop of youngsters that will interest Stuart McCall.

The more relaxed selection rules in the Checkatrade Trophy this season will allow him to field a predominantly youthful line-up at Valley Parade.

So that means a chance on the big stage for the likes of Ellis Hudson, Tyrell Robinson, Jacob Hanson, Jordan Gibson, Danny Devine and Dan Pybus.

McCall said: "It's a really good opportunity for the lads who have been showing well in the development games.

"They've all been training and doing well and a lot of them got game time at Chesterfield and did a good job.

"It's a competitive game that means something. If we win, we get through to the next round, so it's got that edge to it.

"I know Man City have had scouts to our last two games, so they are obviously taking it seriously."

McCall must involve four outfield players who have had at least 40 competitive first-team starts.

Shay McCartan and Adam Thompson will certainly be two of those. Nathaniel Knight-Percival could also be involved after Saturday's fifth yellow card ruled him out of this coming weekend's trip to Portsmouth.

The Bantams won the opening group game 4-2 at Chesterfield, while Man City gained a bonus point for winning a penalty shoot-out after drawing 1-1 with Rotherham.

McCall said: "Kenny (Black) went to watch that but we don't really know what to expect.

"We have had a look at what system we think they will play but we won't know a great deal about their players.

"We've got to fill a couple of positions. We rested quite a lot at Chesterfield but we've obviously got some injuries to contend with, so we haven't got loads of options."

Tony McMahon underwent a hard fitness session with Chris Short yesterday with a view to rejoining full training on Thursday.

City (possible): Raeder, Hendrie, Thompson, Knight-Percival, Hanson, Robinson, Pybus, Devine, Hudson, McCartan, Jones.