Matt Duke is back in a City shirt today – aiming to snuff out Plymouth for the second week running.

The 34-year-old keeper returns to training after Phil Parkinson cut short his loan at Northampton.

With Jon McLaughlin starting a three-game ban for his part in the Crawley brawl, Duke will be thrown straight back in to the firing line at Home Park on Saturday.

It will be Duke’s first Bantams outing since he was dropped in November after a string of nervous displays.

But he will turn up at Apperley Bridge full of confidence following some commanding performances with the Cobblers.

Duke has kept three clean sheets in the last four games, including one against City’s weekend opponents in a goalless draw last Saturday.

Northampton’s Eccleshill-born boss Aidy Boothroyd admitted they were reluctant to let him return north.

“Matt has been absolutely fantastic for us,” he said. “I’m very disappointed if we have to lose him because not only is he a good keeper but he’s the right character and brilliant around the place.

“He’s been a calming influence on us but that’s the lightning bolts you get as a manager and you’ve got to deal with it.”

Since Duke arrived at Sixfields, Northampton have won five of his nine appearances – including three on the bounce – and lost only twice.

It is in sharp contrast to his early-season struggles for City after joining on a two-year deal on the final day of the August transfer window.

Joint-chairman Mark Lawn said: “Matt has been playing very well for Northampton. Phil spoke to Aidy Boothroyd yesterday morning to say that we wanted to bring him back and he said what a great job Matt had done.

“Matt has been playing regularly and is very confident. So that’s one plus for us in a difficult situation.”

McLaughlin’s suspension will also cover the Easter schedule against high-flying duo Southend and Shrewsbury. But he would be available again for City’s visit to Northampton on April 14.