Paul Jewell is hoping his Bradford City players can use the trip to Skopje as a way of re-charging their batteries ahead of a tough programme of league and cup matches in coming weeks.

The Bantams arrived in the Macedonian capital yesterday at 12.35pm after a three-hour flight from Manchester to Zurich and a further two and a half hours haul to Skopje.

When they arrived they were greeted by a crowd of around 250 local football fans.

The temperature was a pleasant 75 degrees Fahrenheit as the weary Bantams squad made their way to their hotel.

The trip to Skopje is being used as the build up to City's two crucial away matches at Grimsby on Saturday and Portsmouth next Tuesday.

City will play Vardar Skopje in a friendly clash tomorrow with all proceeds going to the Special Institute for the Profoundly Disabled in Macedonia.

Jewell said: "We are trying to raise some money for this good cause but we are also treating this trip as a break for the players.

"In fact, myself and Chris Hutchings (City assistant) might even turn out in the match tomorrow. I have brought 15 players with only Wayne Jacobs and Peter Beagrie staying at home.

"Wayne's wife gave birth to a new baby last week while Peter has been taking a coaching course with the FA and needs to be in England. He has also been struggling with a knee injury so it makes sense for him to be at home.

"It is nice to come away on the back of a few good results. Even though we are here, all my preparations are towards the game with Grimsby on Saturday and that is how it will stay."

The 24-strong Bantams party also includes chairman Geoffrey Richmond and managing director Shaun Harvey along with physiotherapist Steve Redmond.

Gareth Whalley has also made the trip despite having to pull out of Friday's game with Bury after becoming ill at around 6pm.

City are staying at the Hotel Continental and after training this morning, the players were set to enjoy a guided tour of Skopje - which is twinned with Bradford.

The clash with Vardar Skopje is the highlight of British Week in Macedonia and the locals are eagerly looking forward to seeing an English side in action.

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