AARON Mclean is getting primed for his first City start of the season this week.

After three substitute appearances and a goal, Phil Parkinson feels the striker is knocking on the door for more action.

But the City boss must decide whether he throws him in at Crawley tonight or hangs fire until the weekend visit from Mclean's former club Peterborough.

Parkinson said: "The next stage with Aaron is to give him 60 minutes. But we'll have to wait and decided whether it's tonight or on Saturday that he starts.

"He does look hungry. He has worked really hard in training in the last couple of weeks.

"Aaron knows he's got more to do but he is certainly getting closer."

Parkinson may be tempted to hold back the hitman once more at the Broadfield Stadium and give Mason Bennett a second run-out alongside James Hanson.

When the 18-year-old loan striker arrived from Derby last week, Parkinson felt it would take time to get him up to speed.

But with no Billy Clarke at Walsall, Bennett came straight in and showed some immediate promise.

"I thought there were some really good signs about what he is all about," said Parkinson.

"Mason's a very strong lad for his age and has got good technical ability as well. I was pleased with his debut.

"Even though he was tiring in the second half, which was to be expected, I thought that was probably his best spell.

"We always had it in our minds that 60 minutes would be enough for him because he hadn't played a lot of football. But I thought he did well and he looks like he's going to be a big player for us."

City's ranks have been boosted by the return of Alan Sheehan, who was unavailable for the Walsall trip following a family bereavement.

The defender, who was outstanding against Morecambe last week, flew back in from Dublin on Sunday night.

But Parkinson has a call to make after James Meredith slotted in effectively for the goalless draw at the Bescot.

"We've got to take the qualities we've shown in the last two games down to Crawley," said the Bantams boss.

"We know it's going to be tough because both teams have got a good start under their belts.

"It was good to get back on the bus at Walsall with a well-earned point in the bag.

"I thought we looked strong as a team and difficult to break down. Jordan (Pickford) really had only one save to make in the whole game and that was in the last minute.

"Now we have to be ready to go again and show that same discipline against Crawley."