Gareth Whalley will play his first Bradford City game for four months in front of the TV cameras tomorrow evening against Birmingham City.

The fit-again midfielder is likely to replace Lee Sharpe, who missed training yesterday with a rib injury.

Whalley, who last appeared in the 3-3 draw with Wimbledon at the end of October, has been sidelined by a slow-clearing groin problem.

But he has come through unscathed in two outings for the reserves and boss Nicky Law is confident he will be up to the pace of Division One.

Law said: "Sharpey got a whack in the ribs like Gunnar Halle and we can't risk training him so he's got to be very doubtful.

"It's a blow but having said that Gareth Whalley is definitely back in contention.

"He looked all right in the reserve games, although he hasn't got the match fitness.

"It would be a big game for him to come into but I'm sure he could get by."

But Law has so far drawn a blank in his hunt for temporary cover for right back Halle, who is out for six weeks with cracked ribs.

He has been scouring reserve games this week to bring someone in on loan without success.

Law may instead decide to give the job to Claus Jorgensen, who filled in effectively in that position at Preston in November, and concentrate on bringing in a new face next week.

City can take up three hours before kick-off to register a loan signing and Law said: "We're not giving up hope yet.

"Other than that we've got to prepare to go with what we've got and that's what we did at training yesterday.

"Gary Locke had a go at Walsall but it's not a natural thing for him and he struggled a little bit. Maybe we might try Claus in that position instead."

Locke is back from a two-game ban but could be kept on the bench if Law decides to revert to a 4-3-3 formation for a home game.

Law's immediate target remains the 50-point barrier he believes will guarantee safety from relegation.

"If we win this it's 42 and then it's well within our capabilities to get there as quickly as possible.

"Birmingham have brought in a couple of new players, Stern John and Paul Devlin, but they've also been struggling of late so it's a good chance for us."

Stephen Caldwell plays the final game of his loan spell. The Newcastle centre-half seems unlikely to be offered another month's extension.