Bradford boss Jim Jefferies is hoping the man who advised him to take a gamble on moving to the Premiership does not ultimately condemn him to the Nationwide League.

When Jefferies was poised to take over at Valley Parade in November, it was close friend - and long-time rival - Walter Smith he turned to for guidance.

Now Smith could consign Jefferies and Bradford to the First Division tomorrow if Everton end their run of dismal form with victory at Goodison Park.

The two Scots have known each other for many years, stretching back to their playing days, with Jefferies hoping Smith does not have the final say again, even though City go into the game with confidence high following back-to-back victories.

"We've always got on very well," revealed Jefferies. "I remember us playing against one another when he was at Dundee United and I was at Hearts.

"Then our rivalry continued into management. He tended to have the upper hand on me because he had the bigger side in Rangers. He did me in two cup finals before it was third time lucky when I won it with Hearts in 1998.

"But despite our differences on the pitch, Walter's a man I've always spoken to a lot - including when I was Falkirk manager in the First Division and then again when I also got the Hearts job.

"Before I came down here I rang him again and he gave me some good advice about England. He told me what to look out for and what to expect.

"He also warned me that sometimes down here you can play well and the result still goes against you. Other times the performance may not be there but you get a win; that doesn't happen in Scotland.

"I now know what he means because Everton have been a bit hot and cold this season, although some of their performances have deserved a bit more.

"As for ourselves, at the moment we're playing well and getting a few results, although our best display was the one we lost at Tottenham.

"But it will be nice to meet him and the ex-Hearts players again tomorrow - and to beat them.

"Not many teams sitting at the bottom of the league have only lost one in five matches and we want to go there and keep that run going.

"Walter and the other Scottish lads know that I hate losing at anything."

One of those "Scottish lads" includes David Weir, the defender Smith signed from Hearts when Jefferies was still in charge for just £200,000 - a fee the City boss feels was an absolute bargain.

"David is a terrific pro and one of the best I've ever worked with," claimed Jefferies. "He was not a big name when Walter signed him but he was Everton's player of the year last season, and he is now in the Scotland squad.

"But it was me that picked him up off the streets and gave him a chance at Falkirk. I remember getting a letter from him and so I offered him the chance to train with us in pre-season.

"We did a lot of running and then planned to play a practice match to see what he could do. As soon as we got the balls out for a warm-up, you could tell how good he was so I didn't bother about the game and signed him straight away.

"We shouldn't have lost him and Gary Naysmith (who joined Everton in October) but we had to through financial reasons. I'm not surprised Walter came in to sign them."

Smith, though, has endured a torrid time with injuries this season, while the Everton supporters are starting to lose patience with the former Rangers manager.

Everton still have a chance of eventually being relegated with Bradford, but Jefferies is confident Smith will save them from the drop and get things right.

"Walter's had a tough time with Everton," added Jefferies. "When he took over the club were in a difficult financial position.

"They had to sell a lot of stars and make do, and this season he's had a terrible time with injuries. But if I know Walter, I'm sure he will turn things round."

Full-back Wayne Jacobs is doubtful with a hamstring strain, which could mean a return to the starting line-up for either Ian Nolan or Gary Locke, who is ready to play again after missing the last three matches with a hand injury.

Jamie Lawrence should be available, despite having played for Jamaica this week in a World Cup qualifier against Honduras.