Ireland u21 defender Andy O'Brien has no intention of rushing back to first-team action after injuring his collar-bone five weeks ago.

O'Brien was only expected to be out for a month - but this proved far short of the time needed to recover. He has returned to light training but it will be another week before he can train with the rest of the Bradford squad.

O'Brien said: "It's just too much of a risk to come back too early. If I did that, I could get found out against the class forwards in the Premiership. You have to be at maximum fitness."

As one Irishman gets ready to return for Bradford, another has joined the injury list.

Midfielder Gareth Whalley, who is after having a great start to the season, limped out of his club's game at West Ham on Saturday with suspected ankle ligament damage and looks set for a lengthy break.