CAPTAIN Katy Woodcock is hoping Bradford City Women’s reserves feel the positives of first-team players on Sunday.

Only City’s second string have a game this weekend as they face Middlesbrough at home in the FA Women's Premier League Northern Reserve Division, looking to follow up last week’s win over local rivals Guiseley Vixens.

And with only one fixture on the senior agenda, the chance to give some first-team players a run out is likely to be taken.

It’s a hotly debated topic in a reserve division more focused on development than winning, but Woodcock believes the second team can benefit from the situation.

“It’s good for the club as a whole really,” she said.

“It keeps a good morale and togetherness between the whole senior squad, which is important when players are moving between the two teams all season.”

“It benefits the first-team players too and keeps up their match fitness. They’ve had some really big fixture gaps recently, so it’s important they stay sharp.”

City’s first team return to action a week on Sunday for their first game for a month - and just their third in eight weeks.

And with the whole club down to support this weekend, the chance is there for the reserves to impress.

Woodcock herself has pushed through into the first team in recent weeks, and she hopes that others can follow suit before the season is over.

“I enjoy it. It makes me more confident when playing for the reserves,” she said.

“It sends a positive message to the other players too that if they keep working hard in training and on the pitch, they will be rewarded.”

“Hopefully the confidence I feel at the moment will rub off on the other players, starting on Sunday.”