Football Shorts

Phil Parkinson has demanded more creativity from his Bradford City side tonight as they bid to put the setback of defeat against Exeter immediately behind them.

They entertain a second Devonian side in just four days when Plymouth Argyle arrive at Valley Parade.

City dropped to seventh after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Exeter, a first defeat in six games.

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Lowly Plymouth have not won in six fixtures and endured their biggest loss of the season when they crashed 3-0 against Fleetwood Town at the weekend.

But Parkinson said: “They’re a decent team and there isn’t much between the sides in this division.

“They lost a player to a red card on Saturday and we know it’s going to be tough.

“But we’re more concentrating on our own performance and us picking a balanced team.

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“Most games we’ve played this season we’ve always carried a threat but we didn’t do it enough against Exeter.

“We have to make sure we rectify that on Tuesday night.”

City will hopefully see the return of full-backs James Meredith and Stephen Darby after their hip injuries during last week’s FA Cup victory against Northampton, but winger Zavon Hines is looking at further time on the sidelines, as the club wait for the results of a scan on his ankle.

Plymouth will be without influential centre half Darren Purse after his red card during Argyle’s 3-0 hammering at Fleetwood on Saturday.

Leeds United’s hopes of signing Stoke City defender Ryan Shotton look in doubt after the 24-year-old came on for just his third appearance of the season for the Potters in their 1-1 draw at West Ham last night.

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United enquired about taking Shotton last week, with the player - who has been on the fringes at the Britannia Stadium this term - also interesting Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Birmingham City.

But with Tony Pulis short of cover with Mark Wilson on the long-term injured list and Andy Wilkinson coming off last night at Upton Park - with Shotton replacing him - he is likely to be reluctant to let Shotton go out.

United have also been linked with a move for former Elland Road defender Matt Kilgallon, out of favour at Sunderland and summer target Clint Hill.

Huddersfield Town look set for a challenge, as they could come up against Arsenal’s tenacious midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong this weekend after Charlton signed him on loan.

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Hard-man Frimpong, known for his aggressive playing style, has been snapped up by Charlton boss Chris Powell ahead of next Thursday’s loan transfer deadline.

Town will be hoping to have injured attacking trio James Vaughan, Jermaine Beckford and Sean Scannell back for this weekend’s clash with the Londoners.