Bradford City travel to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday for their first league game in three weeks following three successive cup fixtures and are set to be without Shay McCartan and Matt Palmer for the game. 

Matt Palmer has missed City's last five games after picking up a knee-injury against Scunthorpe United in September, whereas McCartan has missed the last two games after picking up a knock in training at the start on November.

Palmer is on a season-long loan from Rotherham United and had featured in the first 11 league games before his frustrating injury against Scunthorpe United.

McCartan on the other-hand, spent last season on-loan at Lincoln City where the Imps won the title, but since returning to West Yorkshire has found it hard to nail down a regular place in Gary Bowyer's side.

Bowyer indicated on Thursday that duo are likely to once again miss out on first team action this Saturday but will look to give the pair some game-time during the week.

Speaking to the club's official media channels on Thursday, Bowyer issued the following update: "Matty Palmer and Shay McCartan both trained with the group today and we will look to get a game in, early next week, to get the recovering lads a bit more game time."

This suggests that although the duo will most probably miss out on the trip to Plymouth, Bowyer will look to get some sort of behind closed-doors friendly in place for the two as they try and build up their match fitness.

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The Verdict

Both Palmer and McCartan's injuries are sources of frustration for various reasons.

Palmer had played a key-role in City's positive start to the season and after securing his services from the division above for the season must have been a blow to Bowyer's plans.

McCartan this season, posses experience of winning League Two after featuring 38 times for Lincoln City last term whilst scoring eight goals as the Imps won promotion to League One.

Both players will be in Bowyer's plans for this season, with McCartan set for his chance before picking up that knock in November.