Colin Todd will not demand a specific Christmas bonus from his City players.

The Bantams kick off a busy month with Tuesday's long haul to play-off rivals Bournemouth - the first of seven games between now and January 3.

It will be a test for the small squad at Valley Parade, although Todd is hoping to bolster numbers once he gets the green light from the Football League.

But the City boss, delighted by the season up to now, is determined not to increase the hype surrounding the team by laying down a points goal for the festive schedule.

Todd said: "I've never set targets in all my time in football management. If I do, I keep them to myself.

"Once you start saying that you want 18 points or whatever then it puts unnecessary pressure on to the players.

"I know it's an old clich but I try not to look beyond our next game. For me, that is always the most important one for the team."

Darren Holloway is unlikely to be risked after a thigh strain while Tom Kearney is taking longer than expected to recover from a groin problem he suffered in the FA Cup loss to Rushden.

Todd added: "Tom's in a similar position to Darren and is very doubtful. We thought it was straightforward but it just seems to be lingering.

"But the good thing is that Wayne Jacobs and Peter Atherton are now back in contention.

"Wayne had his second game back with the reserves and there was no reaction to playing 90 minutes. He will certainly be in the squad for Tuesday.

"This time of year does test the size of the squad so you need everybody being fit. And obviously we've also got Owen Morrison on the sidelines waiting to come in."

The Dean Court clash is followed by games against Paul Merson's Walsall and the derby at Huddersfield. But Todd's only concern is getting some reward from the midweek trek to the south coast.

"Bournemouth are a passing team so it will be a different kind of game to Brentford, who had a more direct style.

"That will give us the room to play but we also have to make sure that we don't go chasing the ball.

"It's another challenge for us against a good side. In the last two or three years, Bournemouth have always been up there which shows the importance of having that continuity in the squad.

"They have not made many changes in that time so the players involved know each other's strengths and play to them.

"But we went down to Brentford and got an excellent result and we'll be confident of putting in another good performance next week."