Notts County could be without captain Graeme Lee and leading goalscorer Lee Hughes when Bradford visit Meadow Lane in the first round of the FA Cup.
Both players are struggling with slight ankle knocks and may not be risked with important league fixtures away at Bury and Rochdale on the horizon.
Should they miss out, Jamie Clapham would most likely replace Lee at full-back while Ade Akinbiyi and Karl Hawley would come into contention in attack.
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has also got a knee problem but the Dane is expected to be fit.
On-loan right-back Brendan Moloney will remain sidelined but the Nottingham Forest youngster is expected to resume training on Monday following a hamstring injury.
Ahead of his first FA Cup tie as manager, Hans Backe said: "I've been following the FA Cup since around the 1960's when they first televised it in Sweden. It's a special competition and I am looking forward to it."
Bradford midfielder Lee Bullock returns to contention for the clash.
Bullock missed last week's draw at Macclesfield through suspension after his dismissal for two yellow card offences in the previous week's home win over Hereford.
Winger Chris Brandon is expected to shake off a hamstring problem in time, so manager Stuart McCall must decide whether to include Bullock on the substitutes' bench or in his starting line-up.
Veteran striker Peter Thorne has been sidelined in recent weeks with a hamstring injury, while Simon Ramsden has missed the last two matches due to a calf problem.
Winger Omar Daley (knee ligaments) and Stephen O'Leary (broken foot) remain long-term absentees.
McCall's side lost 5-0 at County on the opening day of the season, but gained some revenge by knocking the Magpies out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after a penalty shoot-out in October.
