Fit-again Scotland midfield player Billy McKinlay returns to Bradford City's squad for tomorrow's match at Newcas-tle, but injured striker Ashley Ward has been ruled out.

McKinlay joined City from Blackburn three weeks ago and made his debut in new manager Jim Jefferies' first match in charge. However, he missed City's 3-3 draw against Spurs at Valley Parade last Saturday with a calf injury.

Jefferies will not name his side until just before kick-off, but McKinlay is likely to return to the starting line-up alongside his former Scottish international team-mate Stuart McCall.

Ward has not recovered from the calf injury that kept him out of the Spurs match, and with Stan Collymore starting a three-match suspension there could be a place up front for Robbie Blake, who has shown impressive form since he returned from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest.

Lee Sharpe, who had to pull out of Monday's reserve match against Manches-ter City with a virus, was back in training yesterday, but he is doubtful and teenager Scott Kerr has been added to the squad.

City, who are trying to avenge last month's 4-3 Worthington Cup defeat at St James' Park, are aiming to extend their unbeaten run of three matches since Jefferies arrived and break their own Premiership record.

Their best run last season was a draw against Derby and wins over Sunderland and Wimbledon late in the season.

Jefferies said: "If records are there to be broken it would be nice to break this one.

"We have worked very hard to take five points from our three games against Middlesbrough, Coventry and Spurs, but we are still a bit short in terms of the quality and consistency we are looking for.

"I feel we are making mistakes and getting punished for every one of them. We need to cut them out.

"We have done well to come from behind in each of our last two matches to beat Coventry and draw with Spurs. It would be nice to go in front at Newcastle tomorrow, rather than come from behind and get into a winning position like we did at Middlesbrough.

"We have worked hard in training, but you have to carry training on to the pitch in matches. There is no question we have been the stronger side in the last 25 minutes against Coventry and the last half-hour against Spurs.

"In fact, we have had three spells of roughly 25 minutes in each of the three games where we have scored goals and looked like scoring goals.

"Newcastle lost 5-0 at Arsenal last week and we have to work on the basis they will be fired up to put that result behind them.

"We have two difficult games at Newcas-tle and Chelsea. If we are still unbeaten after them that will give us a great platform to go into our next two home games.

"It is going to be a rollercoaster ride, but if we can remain undefeated for as long as possible it will be a great help.

"I feel we have made progress in our last three games. We are still most people's favourites to go down, but I believe we have sewn some doubt in their minds with our results in the last three matches.

"If we can win at Newcastle that would make them sit up and take notice."