A heartbroken Robert Molenaar will find himself in a depressingly familiar position when he returns to Leeds on Sunday - watching a game from the Elland Road stands.

Bradford centre-back Molenaar had been anxiously anticipating heading back to the club where he made his name in England following an £800,000 move from Dutch side Volendam just over four years ago.

But a groin injury has wrecked Molenaar's hopes of proving a point to former boss David O'Leary, who sold the 32-year-old to Yorkshire rivals Bradford for £400,000 earlier this season.

Up until last weekend Molenaar had not missed a minute of first-team action for the relegated Bantams since making his debut in a 2-1 home victory over Coventry at the start of December.

But Molenaar, who had been frozen out of the first-team picture for a long time under O'Leary before eventually joining City, was forced to limp off at half-time in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at Valley Parade.

Now Molenaar will again be forced to look on when Bradford face Leeds, just as he did on so many occasions when his days were numbered with United.

"It's about 90% certain the injury won't settle down in time for me to play on Sunday, so I'm desperately disappointed I won't be playing," said Molenaar.

"This would have been the biggest match of all for me personally, but it isn't to be. I guess these things happen.

"Having played every game since I arrived at Bradford, it's a pity I'm going to have to lose out on Sunday.

"I had been looking forward to this game all along, particularly coming up against Mark Viduka and Alan Smith, so I'm really unhappy I'm not fully fit.

"It means I will again be up in the stands at Leeds rather than on the pitch.

"Hopefully I'll play in the last game of the season at Coventry, but I won't be taking any silly risks."

With five former Leeds stars having made the short journey across Yorkshire in the last two seasons, it means only Gunnar Halle will now play against his old club.

Molenaar joins fellow centre-back David Wetherall on the sidelines; David Hopkin moved on to Crystal Palace earlier this season and Lee Sharpe, although having returned to City after a loan spell at Portsmouth, is due to negotiate personal terms on a permanent £500,000 move to Fratton Park early next week.

It means boss Jim Jefferies is due to field a makeshift defence comprising Ian Nolan, Halle, Andy Myers and Wayne Jacobs for a game which Leeds must win if they are to have a chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

"Leeds have everything to play for," added Molenaar. "For them it's a massive game and all the pressure is on them.

"It was always going to be a match which would stand on its own, probably because of the pressure, so it's going to be a difficult game for them.

"But there's mixed feelings for me. I wish the lads all the best, but when you play any kind of game you want to win it and that counts for everybody at Bradford, especially as it's a Yorkshire derby which are always quite heated."

Jefferies also has Gareth Whalley doubtful after a virus forced him off just 15 minutes into the game against Middlesbrough, although the Scot is hopeful the midfielder will be fit.