STUART McCall ticks every box to return to the Valley Parade hot-seat, according to former City skipper Mark Bower.

Bower played under McCall and reckons his old boss is well set to be a success second time around.

McCall left City in February 2010 after a 133-game reign admitting he was drained by the job but insists he is a "very different" manager now.

The Scot lost more games than he won during his first managerial spell in charge at Bradford but Bower believes the legendary ex-midfielder will be older and wiser for his experiences since then.

He has enjoyed stints at Motherwell, Rangers and the Scotland national side, with Guiseley boss Bower adamant that McCall is the best candidate to succeed Phil Parkinson.

McCall is set to be unveiled next week and Bower said: "Stuart has unfinished business at Bradford and it's the perfect time for him to return.

"He previously took over at a time when the club was on its way down and we had just been relegated.

"It was difficult because I don't think the funds were there for him to do the job that he would have liked to have done.

"But he's getting it at a good time now and the club is obviously in a much stronger position with the new owners having come in.

"He will definitely be a better manager for his experiences at Motherwell, Rangers and the Scotland national side.

"He had some good times at Motherwell and, outside of the Old Firm, I think they were the best team in Scotland for a couple of years.

"Those experiences north of the border will stand him in really good stead and I'm sure that he will do well at Bradford if he is to return."

Bower added: "Everyone knows what he feels about the club and he's very passionate about football. That passion aside, he obviously knows his stuff too, so for me he ticks all the boxes.

"Bradford have progressed in the past five years and I think he's the perfect man to continue that and take them into the Championship."

Meanwhile, midfielder Billy Knott has signed a two-year deal at Gillingham following his release from City at the end of last season.

City have also confirmed the departure of wide man Josh Morris following the mutual termination of his contract and he will now join League One rivals Scunthorpe on a free transfer.