Bradford City captain Richard O'Donnell must earn a recall, insists interim manager Mark Trueman

The League Two side brought nine new players to the club in the mid-season transfer window, letting six go.

Having done that to increase the competition, it would make no sense to let O'Donnell waltz back in after a thigh injury. As a result, he watched from the bench at home to Morecambe on Tuesday.

“He's ready to go but you've got to build these players up in training to make sure they're 100 per cent when they're back in the team to prevent any further injuries,” said Trueman.

“Rich is closer. He's in the squad and he'll push Sam (Hornby) for the No 1 spot.

“We're in a good position with regards to the squad size.

“It's a performance game and if Sam's performing it's his shirt to lose. Rich is the skipper and he's important for the team. It's great he's back around the matchday squad but he's just waiting for hos opportunity to get the shirt back.”

Hornby has conceded six goals in his six-game run in the side.

What is indisputable, though, is that if O'Donnell plays, he will captain the side. Lee Novak took the job in his absence, then got injured himself, with Paudie O'Connor taking the armband.

“Richard's the captain and Paudie knows that,” said Trueman.

“I think if you took the captaincy away from Paudie, he's still the same player, still a leader, so if Richard's back in the squad he'll take the armband.”

The same standards will apply to others too. January signing Danny Rowe scored in his last two starts before falling ill, but was alongside O'Donnell in midweek.

“We'll see how training goes on Friday and make a decision from there,” was Trueman's response when asked if he could start Saturday's game at Cheltenham Town.

“We brought these players in during the window for competition and to strengthen the team. They aren't just coming in to sit on the bench. If they are on the bench they're hopefully doing everything in their powers to make sure when they get their chance they keep it (their place).

“Rowey's come back from an illness that put him back because he hit the ground running since he came in. He's just got to take his opportunity and show his qualities again.”

City will be careful not to rush back young defenders Bryce Hosannah – on loan from Leeds United – and Reece Staunton after injuries which mean they are yet to play for Trueman and Conor Sellars.

“Bryce is getting closer,” confirmed Trueman “He hasn't had any setbacks, we've just got to be 100 per cent sure he can return to full training. He will hopefully be back in next week.

“He's not had a full session so we've got assess him after that.

“The team has been consistent and it's now down to Reece to find his way back into the team or the 18. When the team's performing it's always difficult but that gives us that competition for places. It's now down to Reece to show his quality in training and games.

“We've got Reece, we've got Niall (Canavan), Ant (O'Connor) and Matty Foulds who have played left centre-half so we've got a lot of competition. That's only going to improve the group and the quality of the sessions and hopefully that will lead to better performances within games.”

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