Bradford striker Peter Thorne is hoping to return to full training with the first-team squad this week.

But the veteran striker, who has made only three appearances this season due to a niggling groin injury, will not be included in the squad for Saturday's league game at Barnet.

McCall said: "Thorney will hopefully be back joining in with us at the end of the week.

"But we won't be rushing him yet. I think he'll need a game or two in the reserves first before he's ready."

Thorne, who took a wage cut this summer to remain at Valley Parade, has been the Bantam's leading goalscorer for the past two seasons.