PHIL Parkinson has called Guiseley’s promotion to the Conference a boost for the local non-league scene.

City make the familiar jaunt to Nethermoor tonight (7.45 kick-off) for the fourth game of their pre-season schedule.

After the week away in Scotland, the Bantams are braced for potentially their toughest work-out so far against Mark Bower’s men.

And Parkinson is thrilled to see Guiseley building up to the club’s first year in the top tier of the non-league game.

Parkinson said: “They had a great season last year and Mark has done a really good job.

“It’s always a game we enjoy playing and a competitive one. Obviously it will be even more so this time with Guiseley coming up a division.

“We’ve got a good relationship with them and we’re looking forward to playing there again.

“There’s going to be a lot of expectancy this season and plenty of excitement going into the Conference for the first time.

“They have been knocking on the door for a number of years and it’s good for football in the local area that they have made it up there.”

City are likely to field a more senior team than was originally planned, although there could be a couple of further trialists on view.

They came back from St Mirren with a clean bill of health after Filipe Morais reported no after effects from the bang on his right shoulder.

Guiseley have already faced Huddersfield and Barnsley in the last ten days but City’s visit is viewed as the big one.

Bower said: “Even though we’ve played the likes of Barnsley, Huddersfield and Leeds before, Bradford is always the biggest test for us.

“The way Phil lines his team up playing at a high tempo and how we can deal with that is a real barometer of how far we have come.

“He’s obviously somebody you look up to. The number of season tickets Bradford have sold shows how far Phil has taken the club.

“It was only a few years ago that they were almost looking at playing Conference football themselves. But they’ve had some great seasons recently and last year was another with the cup run and a decent league finish.

“For me personally, it’s obviously a good game and there are links between the two clubs. Players like James Hanson have appeared for both sides.

“Facing Bradford later in pre-season than normal will mean there is a real game feel to it. A few of our lads will be playing the full 90 minutes.

“Hopefully it will be a good crowd and we can provide them with a decent contest that will be useful for everyone.”

Andy Gray will miss out on a potential reunion with the Bantams as he nurses a hamstring strain.

The veteran striker quit football when he left Valley Parade after an injury-ruined second spell with the club. But he has been training with Guiseley and could be tempted back to provide an important old head as they try to upset the odds-makers who are tipping them for instant relegation.

Bower, who played in the same City team as Gray first time round, said: “Andy’s got a little tweak after having such a long time out of the game.

“It’s unfortunate for him but we’ve got to make sure he’s right. He hadn’t played at all since leaving City so you expect these type of little niggles.

“I feel he can certainly be an asset for us this season. It was quite a casual agreement when he came in but he is keen and he’s always been very fit.

“He has vast experience and is a great example to other players.

“He’s 37 now but I look at him as being in the same bracket as the likes of Dean Windass and Teddy Sheringham. They never really relied on pace but kept themselves fit.”