CITY have been challenged to keep the supply lines open without Tony McMahon.

The set-piece specialist could be on the sidelines until the middle of next month with a hamstring injury he suffered against MK Dons.

Luke Hendrie was pulled out of last night's private friendly at Guiseley as a precaution as he prepares to cover McMahon's absence at right back.

But McMahon's presence will be missed with free-kicks and corners after racking up six assists, the latest for skipper Romain Vincelot to open the scoring in the weekend win.

It is a blow for Stuart McCall's side to lose such a consistent standard from dead-ball positions – and the Bantams boss wants to see others step into the breach.

"We'll have a look throughout the week for the best deliverers of the ball," said McCall.

"I know Chicks (Adam Chicksen) can whip balls in and Gilly (Alex Gilliead) doesn't mind a set-piece. We'll just have to work it out.

"It's a little thing that's been taken away from our game with the set-pieces that Tony delivers.

"But there are a couple of other lads who fancy themselves and are itching to get on a free-kick as well. It might give them a chance now because they wouldn't have got near it before."

McMahon has been a key character in City's impressive start to the season, also scoring the winner at Northampton with a sublime free-kick.

The experienced defender has been an ever-present in the league so far, missing only one game when he was spared Checkatrade Trophy duty against Chesterfield.

McCall said: "It's frustrating to lose him. He's been very good and that delivery goes hand-in-hand with having more men in there being able to attack it.

"People make different runs for different corners, you can lose your men and we've worked on a few little things. It's good when it pays off.

"But injuries are part and parcel of football unfortunately. We missed Charlie Wyke in the early part of the season.

"We'll know the extent of Tony's injury in the next couple of days when the scan has been assessed – but you've just got to get over it and get on with it.

"Again it's no good talking about people who are not going to be playing, we've got to focus on the ones who are available and concentrate on that."

City's unbeaten away record will be under the spotlight again when they make the short trip to Bury next weekend.

Yet with four wins from six on the road so far – and 14 points from a possible 18 – McCall can sense a growing belief within the squad.

He said: "That's because the away form has been as good as it has. To win at Peterborough and MK Dons and get a point at Oxford was down to some really strong performances on the road.

"That gives you momentum and confidence. We're getting the results and finding ways to win. If we get ahead, we're strong and we're doing quite well at the minute.

"Now we've got to keep doing it. You never get carried away and start thinking that 'it's an away game coming up, we're going to win it'.

"But we're looking forward to next Saturday, when I'm sure we'll have a huge following."

The latest victory at MK Dons means City have already won at three away venues where they had also triumphed last season. Gigg Lane is another – the Bantams winning 2-0 there in April.

McCall said: "For those here before, it's in your psyche to remember how well we'd played at MK Dons and you wanted to go out and put in a performance like we did last year.

"Now we go to Bury and another one in your mind where we got a good result last season. Albeit there are different players but it still gives you that confidence."