Bradford City could be boosted for Saturday's crucial visit to play-off chasing Sheffield United by a fit-again Eddie Youds.

The inspirational central defender was substituted during the first half of the Bantams' 2-1 victory over Port Vale after aggravating a stomach muscle injury.

Youds was kicked accidentally in the stomach by Oxford United's giant striker Kevin Francis during last weekend's goalless draw at Valley Parade.

However despite the 27-year-old being withdrawn shortly after Andy Melville equalised in the 34th minute on Tuesday night, City boss Paul Jewell remains optimistic about the defender's chances of being fit.

"He has been in for treatment and I am still hoping he will be fit. He played on despite being kneed in the stomach on Saturday but had started complaining against Port Vale that he couldn't breathe properly.

"Eddie, as you would expect, wanted to stay on until half-time to see how it went but we thought it was better to get him off.

"We moved Andy O'Brien back into defence and yet again I could not have asked any more. Andy Melville has also been magnificent since he arrived and he did so well for his goal."

Youds has missed just one game this season after battling back from a knee injury which had kept him out of action for 14 months.

The victory over Port Vale put City just three points behind sixth placed Stockport County although they have played more games than the six sides directly above them in the table.

This means City's next two games at the play-off chasing Blades and West Brom could go a long way towards deciding their fate this season.

However Jewell insists his team are only focusing on the visit to Bramall Lane.

"All we can do is look to build a run towards the end of the season, starting at Sheffield. We have got 11 games to go and that is 33 points up for grabs.

"If we win at Sheffield it doesn't guarantee a place in the play-offs but it will certainly help. The year we got promoted, albeit from a lower division, our run towards the end of the season started at about this stage."

A young Bradford City reserve side lost to a first half goal last night in a tight encounter against Pontin's League Division Two leaders Shrewsbury Town.

The Bantams battled hard throughout and came close to grabbing a point through Dennis Sepp late on.

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