DARLINGTON manager Steve Staunton has praised his team for their attitude and desire ahead of the trip to Bradford City.

The midweek postponement of the scheduled game against Notts County, has left Quakers with a fixture backlog, but Staunton said:

"I have never known a winter like it, but we look after the players very well and they have kept themselves fit. They feel they have the ability to get us out of this mess. They are focussed and confident.

"The players are making demands of themselves and each other, and that is driving the team forward.

"We are looking at the positives. We have games in hand, but we have to win them. However we have beaten sides in the top six or seven so we know that we can do it."

Tomorrow's match at Valley Parade is a first home game for new Bradford manager Peter Taylor, who masterminded a 3-1 win at League Two leaders Rochdale on Tuesday.

"Our reports suggest that Dale are the best side in the division, so any side that can go there and win has done well," said Staunton.

"We have had reports from Bradford's last two games and they could not have been more contrasting. We don't know which Bradford side will turn up, so all we can do is concentrate on ourselves."

Staunton will name his side after checking on the fitness of a few players, among them Gareth Waite, skipper Ian Miller and fellow centre half Richie Byrne.

All are carrying slight injuries, but may well be available, and if not the manager has cover.

The players are very well looked after and the manager strikes a careful balance with training and playing to try and ensure that the squad will cope with the busy period ahead.

Tomorrow's trip is the shortest of the season, and while Bradford are likely to have around 12,000 home fans, Quakers should be backed by a good following.