BRADFORD City Women are back in action on Sunday after a weekend off due to SSE Women’s FA Cup fixtures affecting the league schedule.

They host Nottingham Forest Ladies, who opened their campaign back in August with a 3-0 home win over the Bantams.

The Bantams have seen some more departures from their already-depleted squad, with midfielder Hannah Shuttleworth departing for Doncaster Belles, and striker Demi Pringle moving the Thackley after recovering from a long-term injury that has kept her out for most of the season.

Manager Steve Winterburn was delighted to welcome defender Sophie Parrish to the club, though, to add some experience to the City backline.

Winterburn is already thinking ahead to next season and the rebuilding work that has to be done.

He said: “We will have our time again in the future, we only want players who want to play for us and who appreciate it’s going to be a tough ride.

"We may be battered and bruised at the moment but we will fight on and turn things around.”

Nottingham Forest sit eighth in the FA Women’s National League - Northern Premier Division table, three places but 14 points above Bradford.

City still have 10 games to play, so could mathematically chase down their relegation rivals, but they will need a huge turn round in fortunes in their battle to avoid relegation.

City skipper Harriet Jakeman, who conceded a penalty and was booked in the last meeting of the two sides, is hoping that the week off, and the work on the training ground will benefit the team this weekend.

She said: “Sunday’s game against Nottingham is a great chance to show what we’ve been working on.

"We know we can play better than we have been and we need to start showing Steve’s hard work is paying off.

"We have some players missing and our team changes week in week out, but we are starting to get some solidarity and consistency in positions.

"We are a very different team to the one that played at the beginning of the season so it’s all in the open.”

City have a busy week ahead, after Sunday’s game they travel to Guiseley Vixens on Tuesday, before a home game against relegation rivals Sheffield FC Ladies next Sunday.

Meanwhile, in the West Riding Premier Division, Silsden entertain Bradford (Park Avenue). Silsden won their first game of the season last time out, and mid-table Bradford haven't won a league game since October, a 1-0 over the Cobbydalers.

In-form Thackley travel to Skipton for a First Division game at Engine Shed Lane, whereas their second string host Second Division joint leaders Ossett at Apperley Lane. Phoenix will be confident after a good second half last week in the League Cup when they take on struggling Garforth Rangers at Allerton Bywater.

In the North East Regional League, Farsley Celtic host second-placed South Shields.

Guiseley host the first of two National League games in three days at Nethermoor. The Vixens play AFC Fylde on Sunday. Then on Tuesday night there's a local derby against the Bantams.

In National One, Brighouse are at Norton. Town are currently on the same number of points as Leeds United and Chester-le-street, who play each other at Thorp Arch.