DAVID Hopkin will unveil his new number two at Valley Parade next week.

The Telegraph & Argus understands that Anton McElhone is joining City from New England Revolution, where he has been working for Brad Friedel’s side as head of fitness.

McElhone, a fellow Scot, previously spent a decade on Tottenham’s technical staff – the last six years as the first-team’s fitness and reconditioning coach. He was highly-thought of at Spurs for his work with the likes of England striker Harry Kane.

McElhone also holds a UEFA A coaching licence and Hopkin said: “It’s important that the people I am looking at can add one or two more strings to the bow rather than just set as one thing.

“The sports science side is massive and hopefully in the next two or three weeks these are things that will start to take the pressure off me.

“I feel that myself and Martin (Drury) are doing everything so it’s important we get people in specialised areas who can help and push the players.

“I’m looking forward to it and I’m sure the players are looking forward to hearing a new voice and seeing a new face about the club.

“Hopefully next week I’ll also be speaking to a few people regarding the goalkeeping coach situation. These are things I want to take my time with to make sure I bring in the right ones.

“I want people who are going to add value and experience to the club in different areas.”

McElhone is expected to start his new role ahead of next week’s crucial trip to third-from-bottom Plymouth, who currently sit two points above City.

But Hopkin will first turn his attention to the FA Cup return to Peterborough, a fortnight after taking a point from Steve Evans’ men.

The Bantams boss views tomorrow’s second-round tie at the ABAX Stadium as a welcome break from the pressure of League One survival.

He said: “Peterborough are a very good side and have a depth in squad that they can change at any time.

“But it’s a cup game and one where we should go there very relaxed. It’s a breather from the league and maybe a chance for players to go out and express themselves.

“It’s a one-off game, anything can happen, and we should try and enjoy it.

“We need to make sure that hopefully we can get into the next round because that’s a massive financial boost if you can get a big club.”

Anthony O’Connor, who scored in the 1-1 draw at Peterborough before, is back from his one-game ban as City aim to put the midweek 4-0 defeat at Luton quickly behind them.

Hopkin added: “We’ve got to be careful because the two games when we have lost by four goals, we probably had two of our backline not playing.

“It’s unfair to criticise players when you lose two in the middle of the park who have been playing well. Players come in and it’s a new partnership but I thought we could have defended the goals better.

“I was pleased by the second-half performance but obviously we don’t want to get back to the Bradford of old.”

After taking a point before, Hopkin is still aiming to become the first City manager to beat an Evans side.

“Steve’s an experienced manager and knows League One and League Two really well,” he said. “He’s put a fantastic squad together and can change an array of talent.

“There’s no animosity from the last game. The two of us were just shouting at the fourth official – they get a tough time off two Scotsmen.”