MATT Kilgallon will give Stuart McCall no opportunity to leave him out for City’s most testing spell of the season.

Tomorrow’s trip to title favourites Wigan kicks off a spell of games against teams flying high around them.

It will be a serious test of mettle for the Bantams, who are keen to bounce straight back from last week’s unexpected home loss against Plymouth.

With Scunthorpe and leaders Shrewsbury to follow, the next week will provide a Litmus test for City’s promotion ambitions.

And Kilgallon intends to play a full part.

The experienced centre half has been arguably the most consistent player in the campaign up to now, putting last season’s injury frustration behind him with a string of rock-solid displays.

That’s despite McCall looking to give him a breather on occasions when City’s schedule gets particularly hectic.

Kilgallon said: “Everyone knows there are a lot of games but I feel good.

“If the gaffer wants to freshen it up, he’s in charge and can do what he wants.

“He asked me one time (if I wanted a break) and I said ‘no’, next time when he left me out he didn’t say anything.

“He obviously thought I won’t ask this guy if he wants to play again!

“We’ve got players who can come in and do well. So why not sometimes freshen it up a little bit and surprise the opposition.

“There have been some games when you’re thinking ‘we’ve got another one Tuesday, another one Saturday’ but it’s great to be part of the team. We’re doing all right.”

Kilgallon has missed only one league game, the midweek home draw with Oldham in September, and has nailed down a regular starting role. The agony of missing most of the second half of last season is now forgotten.

“It’s completely different from last season,” he added. “I got a full pre-season under my belt at the start and that helped massively.

“I felt fit coming into the season and the gaffer said he was starting me and I’ve enjoyed it from there.

“Saturday was a hard game. Plymouth have been in good form and were tough to break down.

“But November is a big month for us against a lot of top teams. This will be one of the hardest months of the season, but I’m sure they are saying that as well.

“We’ve got a fully fit squad so it’s up to us if we want to do it. I know the lads want to stay up there and crack on.

“We do well against the big teams. It’s all about attitude.

“We need to start well and have a real go, let’s show them how good we are.”

Set-pieces will once again be a key weapon for the visitors at the DW Stadium. Kilgallon has scored twice so far – and still feels a bit diddled with another that was taken off him against Walsall.

He said: “Bradford have given me three but on the (official) list it’s down as an own goal. That’s a bit harsh really because I don’t get many.

“It’s not like they are taking it off Wayne Rooney and he’s got 300 others. I’ve got seven so just give me it!

“Macca (Tony McMahon) puts some great balls in and it’s just about being brave and putting your head on it.

“We’ve got good size in there, we work on a few different set-pieces and we are a threat.”