Nicky Law leads City into battle against Norwich tomorrow, insisting: This will be the toughest First Division yet.

But Law, who could blood half-a-dozen new faces in the Bradford & Bingley Stadium opener, is adamant his young charges will be up for the challenge.

Law said: "It's going to be a much harder league than last year. With the three teams coming down and those who've come up, there will be a better standard of football and we'll have to rise to that.

"But there is always a surprise team and, who knows, maybe this year that could be us. The first month will be a good indication of how far we've come and how far we need to go."

City face a gruelling baptism as they follow Norwich with the likes of Cardiff, West Ham and Sunderland before the end of August.

The boss admitted: "My first thought when I saw the fixtures come out was that I could have been on my holidays in September! There are some very tough games coming up but we've got to turn that round to our advantage and be positive.

"We will certainly be up for it. The lads are as ready as they are going to be and we want to do better than we did last season."

But City go into the Canaries clash with the familiar spectre of injuries.

Law has a problem at centre half where Jason Gavin is struggling with a thigh strain and has not trained all week. With Mark Bower and Peter Atherton already sidelined, Gavin will be given as long as possible to recover.

"If he's fit then he'll play," said Law. "Paul Heckingbottom can play left centre half but then you are robbing Peter to pay Paul. That would take something away from the left-hand side with Lewis Emanuel not being fit."

Alternatively, Simon Francis could switch to the middle from right back where Gareth Edds could drop in. Wayne Jacobs has recovered from his knee injury and trained yesterday without any trouble.

Law added: "People will say we can hopefully push for the play-offs and I'd agree with them but the most important thing is to keep your First Division status. If we have our fair share of luck and stay away from the injuries, which we haven't done in pre-season, then we will be fine."

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