ADAM Clayton is out of the next stage of City’s push for promotion.

The midfield battler is suffering with a hamstring injury that is set to keep him out of action for the next few weeks.

His absence from the engine room will come as a blow for the Bantams.

Clayton has been something of a talismanic figure since arriving from Doncaster in the January transfer window.

Having made his debut in the goalless draw at Stockport, the 34-year-old has suffered defeat only once in 12 starts.

But City will have to do without him for Saturday’s home clash with Grimsby and the Easter double-header at least.

“He’s got an issue with his hamstring so he’s going to be out for a couple of weeks,” admitted Mark Hughes.

“He didn’t come off with it the other night (against Carlisle), but he was conscious when he woke up the next day that it was really sore right at the top of the hamstring.

“We got it checked and unfortunately there’s a bit of damage there so he’s going to miss a number of weeks.”

Emmanuel Osadebe, though, will be raring to return this weekend after missing the last four games. He was back in training yesterday as City got back to work after their blank Saturday.

Hughes added: “Manny has come back in the fold and is training fully again after that bang he got on his leg. Knowing Manny he’ll put his hand up to play on Saturday.

“We’re getting a few back. Dara (Costelloe) trained so he’s okay, Matt Derbyshire trained with the group and we’re just monitoring his work for the initial period of the week.

“He should be available at the weekend.

“Andy Cook was ill for a couple of days last week but he’s back training.

“We look quite healthy. We had a lot of players out there, which is encouraging, given we’re going to have a real strong challenge and we need everybody available.

“We’ve got good options, different types of players. If we need to mix and match to get the result, like we have done in recent weeks, then we’ll try to keep on doing that.”