JORDAN Deacey’s last-minute winner in the midweek West Riding Cup tie brought some much-needed cheer but his dad, Bradford boss John Deacey, will be without his ‘missing link’ soon.

Deacey junior will play just two more games for Avenue before his short-term loan deal expires and he returns to Telford United. The Conference Premier outfit want the midfielder back now that he is match fit again.

The Avenue manager said: “Jordan has come in and pulled the strings in the midfield like he used to. He has been great for us and brilliant in what he has brought to the team but the search is on for a replacement now.

“We need someone to fill that gap and provide what Jordan has. He’s been the missing link, the supply to the forwards that we have been missing. There have been games where we’ve played well but not got what we deserved because we failed to get enough of the ball to the front men.

“We’ve got Jordan for just two more games, today and Monday, and then his loan runs out and he’s got to go back. We’re in talks with a player who will be able to give us that and I’m hoping we will get him sooner rather than later.”

With the injury glut over, the manager’s main concern now is selecting the right team and tactics for each game on its own merits.

The midweek cup win at AFC Goole was an ideal opportunity to get more game time for his returning players.

Bradford came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and Deacey said: “We were poor in the first half but we made a few adjustments and we got the result. But a win is a win and we will take it.

“We made seven changes from the team that played at Colwyn Bay at the weekend and that gave the guys some game time. They have got their fitness back but they still need match fitness and getting them time on the pitch is what it’s all about.”

The win set up a quarter-final against Deacey’s former club Farsley but it is not a game the Bradford boss it looking forward to.

He said: “It will be a nice, interesting clash with Farsley and I hate that. I hate playing against former clubs. I just don’t like it at all.”