Tom Kearney is eyeing a Boxing Day return to City colours.

The tenacious midfielder has been sidelined with a thigh injury since the FA Cup loss to Rushden.

It has been a frustrating time for Kearney, who before the lay-off had been playing his best football for the club since joining in March 2002.

Today's West Yorkshire derby was the fifth game he has been forced to sit out. But Colin Todd hopes to have him back in the ranks to face Wrexham at Valley Parade in eight days' time. Todd said: "It's a shame for the boy being out because he has done extremely well this season. He's been very positive.

"Before he was just being negative in the manner he played the game but now he wants to hurt the opposition with his passing going forward.

"He also has great mobility and gets the tackles in so he is a very important player for us.

"The injury has taken a long time to shift but he's ready to step up his training now. We're looking to get him involved for the Christmas period."

Central midfield is one of the areas that Todd is looking to strengthen with a loan signing. He contacted a Premier League club about one target but then discovered that the player was not fully fit.

With Kearney back, Todd could have the luxury of a fully-fit dressing room for a hectic spell which will see City play Wrexham, Torquay, Port Vale and Swindon between Boxing Day and January 3.