Bradford City v Scunthorpe United: Winger Filipe Morais keen to bolster Bantams' push

The Portuguese winger was expected to miss the entire season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during the summer.

However, months of rehab and hard work in the gym paid off last Monday when Morais was able to claim a place on the bench at Crewe Alexandra.

He didn’t get on the field as City triumphed 1-0 for the second time in three days but just being part of the matchday squad along with Paul Anderson, another long-term absentee after breaking his leg during the autumn, came as a big boost for Morais.

“It must be great for the gaffer to have me and Paul back,” said Morais to The Yorkshire Post ahead of City hosting Scunthorpe United today. “Any minute I get on the pitch, he is going to have a player who will fight for everything – and be grateful just to be out there.”

The return of Morais and Anderson at such a pivotal stage of the season could be a major boost for the Bantams, who have had serious injury problems this term due to both Billy Clarke and Steven Davies having lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Whether either wideman can make an impact remains to be seen but Phil Parkinson’s options are undoubtedly bolstered by having both Morais and Anderson to call upon.

Either could, feasibly, come in today if, as expected, Kyel Reid is absent with a chest infection.

However, against a Scunthorpe United side fresh from thrashing Swindon Town 6-0 last Monday, Parkinson seems more likely to go with either Josh Morris or Mark Marshall due to both being up to speed in terms of their match fitness.