PHIL Parkinson reckons it's time for City's players to make themselves heroes.

The Bantams face play-off League One rivals Walsall in a huge Valley Parade showdown tomorrow – and Parkinson is calling for his side to supply an "inspirational moment" to secure their top-six spot.

City will be missing impact substitute Steve Davies, who starts his three-game ban for kicking out at Coventry defender Jack Stephens.

Davies has delivered some key goals in recent home matches and Parkinson wants others to step up to the plate in the same fashion.

The City boss said: "It was a rash moment (getting sent off) and we can't do with any more of them. It's happened now and I'm not going to dwell on it. We've got to accept he isn't available.

"He's done very well for us coming off the bench and it might be somebody else's turn now to pop up with one of those inspirational moments that get remembered in the summer.

"Steve has produced a few and so have other players. The onus is on everybody to say 'I'm going to be the man who produces that moment of quality'. We've got plenty of people capable of doing that."

Reece Burke (calf) and Jamie Proctor (back) will be assessed as Parkinson considers his first changes in the starting line-up for four games.

Filipe Morais, James Hanson and Rory McArdle are all pushing for a recall as City target a sixth straight Valley Parade victory – their best home record since 1999.

Parkinson said: "We go into the game on a very good run of home form over a long period. Our job is to maintain that.

"We've just got to make sure we pick a team ready to reproduce the type of performances we've been showing; with the same intensity and running power.

"Obviously there are other players who come into contention. This will be our third game in a week. My job is to come to the right decision in terms of team selection."

The absence of Davies is unlikely to mean a recall for Wes Thomas, who has missed training this week because of a virus. The on-loan Birmingham striker has not featured since City's defeat at Wigan.

Parkinson said: "It's been hard for Wes. He started reasonably well for us when he was in the team but obviously it was difficult with three strikers on the bench to get the right balance.

"Hans is our top scorer and with Davo doing well when he's come on, Wes has been the one to miss out."

Walsall have been a fixture in the top four since the start of the season but needed to come from behind to force a 1-1 home draw with Swindon on Tuesday.

Parkinson said: "They've got players who have been together for a couple of years playing the same system and same way and stuck to that.

"Walsall had a season last year where the league form wasn't great but they had a good cup run.

"They went into pre-season more or less with the same squad and hit the ground running. The continuity has brought them success and obviously they are fighting for automatic promotion as well."

The Saddlers are hot on Burton's heels for second spot and have a game in hand to be played on Tuesday. But Parkinson does not believe Walsall's equal need for points will make any difference to an already tense occasion.

The Bantams boss said: "I don't think it matters too much. Teams with nothing to play for, like Coventry the other night, can find motivation in other areas – things like fighting for contracts and professional pride.

"Then look at Shrewsbury last week. They didn't play like a team fighting for their lives. We've just got to concentrate on our own approach."

City could have dropped a place from fifth before they kick off tomorrow. Barnsley, currently two points behind, travel to Sheffield United at lunchtime. The Blades are six back on the Bantams.

Parkinson said: "It's that time of year. Whatever way that result goes, we have to handle it – whether it goes well for us or against us.

"When you only pick up one point from six, teams invariably are going to close the gap. Teams outside the top six, like we've done ourselves, are capable of putting runs together."

* Former City goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin has been named in the PFA League One team of the season after an impressive campaign with Burton.

Gillingham centre half John Egan, who had a brief spell on loan with the Bantams during their 2012/13 promotion-winning campaign, is also in the side.

League One team of the year: Jon McLaughlin (Burton); Reece Wabara (Wigan), John Egan (Gillingham), Craig Morgan (Wigan), Rico Henry (Walsall); Yanic Wildschut (Wigan), Bradley Dack (Gillingham), Romaine Sawyers (Walsall), Mark Duffy (Burton); Will Grigg (Wigan), Adam Armstrong (Coventry).