Rovers return to The Fully Charged New Lawn this Saturday for the first time in three games to take on Bradford City.

Rob Edwards’ side will be hoping to pick up three points and extend their eight-point lead at the top of the league.

Here’s the lowdown on this weekend’s opponents, the Bantams.

MEET THE MANAGER: MARK HUGHES

New Bradford City manager Mark Hughes joined as gaffer just two weeks ago in some of the biggest League Two news of the season.

The Welshman is an incredibly well known figure in the English game, most notably playing over two spells for Manchester United and for European giants Barcelona.

Playing also for the likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Everton, Hughes retired in 2002 having scored over 150 career goals as well as making 72 appearances for Wales.

It was in fact Wales where Hughes had his first stab at management spending five years at the helm, so very nearly helping them to a first major tournament in 46 years.

It was during his time as Wales boss that Rob Edwards was handed his first international cap.

Hughes went on to become a well-established top flight coach over the years managing Manchester City, Stoke City, former club Blackburn Rovers and others.

After just over three years out of the game following his departure from Southampton, Hughes became the new Bantams boss, opening his account with two home defeats.

KEY PLAYER: ANDY COOK

Front man Andy Cook joined Bradford on a permanent deal from Tranmere Rovers in the summer after a successful loan spell in the second half of last season.

Cook came through the academy system with Carlisle United scoring goals for fun before non-league loan spells to Workington and Barrow.

Cook has a vast amount of National League and EFL experience having played for the likes of Grimsby, Tranmere, Walsall, Mansfield and the above mentioned Barrow where he had four spells.

The Bishop Auckland born attacker has notched over 100 goals in his club career and has also made one appearance for the England C team back in 2013.

The veteran striker has had another impressive season in the fourth tier registering 10 goals and two assists in his 27 League Two starts.

FORM – LLLLL

12/02/21 – Bradford City 0-1 Exeter City

19/02/22 – Oldham Athletic 2-0 Bradford City

22/02/22 – Bradford City 1-3 Harrogate Town

26/02/22 – Bradford City 0-2 Mansfield Town

05/03/22 – Bradford City 1-2 Swindon Town

LAST TIME OUT

Bradford City surrendered a goal advantage as a Jack Payne penalty in the dying embers gave Swindon Town the points in a 2-1 win.

After a Harry McKirdy shot was saved off the line early on for Swindon, it was the hosts who found the lead on the 18 minute mark.

A cross into the box fell nicely for Gareth Evans who volleyed home his first of the season in some style.

But just minutes later McKirdy did find the net and the Robins were level, the tricky attacker finishing well after an impressive Swindon move down the left.

Into the second half and both sides came close to taking the lead, Yann Songo’o coming the closest heading onto the bar for the Bantams.

As the final whistle beckoned, a penalty was awarded to away side as keeper Alex Bass flew out of his goal, committing the foul on Ellis Iandolo.

Substitute Payne fired home his spot kick in the sixth minute of added time to condemn Bradford to a fifth league defeat in a row.

LAST TIME WE MET

Rovers came from a goal down to rescue a point against Bradford City at The Utilita Energy Stadium drawing 1-1.

The hosts found themselves in front inside 10 minutes as an out swinging Elliot Watt corner found the head of Andy Cook, who glanced home his seventh of the season.

In a high octane first half Nicky Cadden very nearly had FGR level as his looping strike waivered just wide of the far post.

After the break it took just nine minutes for Rob Edwards’ side to draw level, as substitute Jake Young’s brilliant solo effort silenced the home crowd.

An Andy Cook header off the bar not long after was as close as either side got after that, as both sides went home with a point.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Rovers and the Bantams have only met four times in their histories with the record between the two a very even affair thus far.

The two first met in 2019 and both sides have recorded a win each accompanied by two score draws, the later coming back in October.

Rovers’ only win against Bradford came in their first meeting as a stoppage time winner from Joseph Mills saw all three points head back to GL6.