BBC Sportfootball

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 11:18 GMT, Friday, 13 November 2009

Winger Daley nears Bantams return

Omar Daley
Daley played 31 game for Bradford last season

Bradford manager Stuart McCall is hopeful that winger Omar Daley will return from a 10-month injury lay-off in the reserves in two weeks' time.

The 28-year-old Jamaica international has been sidelined since February after undergoing knee surgery.

"He isn't ready yet, he hasn't had any competitive football," McCall told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I think he's pencilled in a date on November 25 - a reserve game - and he's aiming for that."

McCall added: "He's coming along exactly as we thought he might - he's always got a smile on his face and looking forward to being involved.

"We don't want to bring him back any earlier than can be and he'll need at least four or five games even just to get his touch and get rid of his rustiness.

"Once he gets back and plays for the reserves a couple of times then there'll be no harm in having Omar on the bench - a flying Omar Daley for 15 or 20 minutes would be fantastic."

Daley picked up the injury against Darlington in February and his subsequent absence was a major factor in Bradford's failure to reach the League Two play-offs last season.

But despite Daley's potential impact, McCall said he resisted the temptation to throw him straight on to the bench for Saturday's clash with Bournemouth.

"I've tried to persuade him to be on the bench for 10 minutes on Saturday but he's not up to it yet," added McCall.

"Having seen his shooting I can well agree with him.

"Although it was just a little thought, I can imagine the supporters, if they saw him on the bench, would be singing his name and trying to force him on earlier."



Print Sponsor


see also
Daley targets November comeback
13 Oct 09 |  Bradford
Daley is set for 10-month lay-off
27 Feb 09 |  Bradford


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites