Stuart McCall dreaded he would be banned from his City "homecoming".

McCall has been on the brink of a one-match ban after totting up four yellow cards. And he was so worried about missing tomorrow's emotional return, he even had a word with the referee.

He said: "I've had to be really careful for the last couple of games against Leeds and Ipswich. I've been on four yellows for a while and knew that if I got booked in either one of those I'd miss the Bradford match.

"The Worthington Cup tie against Leeds was the worst being a Yorkshire derby. The chances were quite high that I might pick up another booking but I had a quiet chat with referee Jeff Winter and asked him to be kind.

"Not that I pulled out of any tackles, though."

McCall, who is guaranteed a hero's reception tomorrow, has hired an executive box for his family and friends. It is also his daughter Carly's 15th birthday although she will not be making an appearance on the pitch.

"She was at the testimonial and all my kids came on for that one," McCall added. "But she is too old to be a mascot now and there's no way she'd do it again.

"It's so weird that the Bradford game has fallen on the same day. We were on holiday in Portugal at the time the fixtures came out and obviously Bradford away was the first game I looked for and I couldn't believe it. It must be some kind of fate."

McCall combines playing for the Blades with a coaching role as part of Neil Warnock's backroom staff and admits he is getting the best of both worlds.

He has played 15 of 18 league games, including 13 starts, but ominously for City is still waiting for a first goal.

McCall added: "It is going better than I expected because as well as taking the reserves, I'm also managing to play the majority of games.

"The gaffer here has been smashing and for all his little quirks he has been different class with me. I'm learning a lot about coaching and management while still getting the chance to play in the team every week."

The arrival of Dean Windass in Blades colours will add even more spice to the occasion, if that is possible.

McCall was instrumental in getting his former Bantam team-mate from Middlesbrough, initially on a month's loan. Windass could make his debut straight away as well as £250,000 new boy Steve Kabba.

McCall said: "There is more to Deano than being robust and aggressive. With that sort of player it's often easy to overlook the technical side but he has got a great touch and is an excellent finisher.

"He has already shown his ability in training and made an impression with the lads, he's not short of a word or two. But at this level he is a very effective player as everyone at Bradford knows."