Billy McKinlay is winning his fight to be fit for Bradford City's tussle with leaders Manchester United at Valley Parade on Saturday.

The midfieldman has recovered quickly from the injury which forced him to hobble off during the FA Cup defeat against Middlesbrough.

McKinlay suffered a painful blow on his right knee just before half-time and, despite coming back out after the interval, he had to quit the action almost straightaway.

But he has been in for treatment while the rest of the squad have enjoyed two days off, and boss Jim Jefferies is confident he will be ready for the weekend.

Jefferies said: "It was more a knock than anything serious, but once the knee stiffened up he was struggling. Luckily with it being a Monday game we've had that extra time to get it sorted and it was encouraging that Billy was feeling a lot better the next morning."

McKinlay - Jefferies' first signing at Valley Parade in November - has won plenty of admirers with his no-frills approach in the holding role between midfield and defence.

Jefferies said: "He's getting better as each game goes by. It's the same with Robert Molenaar, and you think of how long they have been out injured. However hard or intense you make training, there is no substitute for playing matches and you can see as they get fitter, how much bigger their influence becomes.

"Billy is the type of character to roll up his sleeves, and he's not afraid to bawl at his team-mates because he's so committed.

"He won't go charging around, that's not his game. He will sit deep and keep things simple and organise the team - you could see how much we missed that on Monday after he went off."

McKinlay can expect a busy afternoon against United, but Jefferies believes City are in good form: "Nobody gives us a prayer, but we'll try to cause a shock. Our last two performances have been worlds away from the way we were playing a few weeks ago so the improvement is there.

"Leicester and Middlesbrough found us very hard to open up and we've only let in a penalty and a wonder goal. If we can keep it nice and tight again and keep the balance right, then hopefully the players will have that belief to really give United a good game."