STUART McCall can stop wincing about training-ground tackles as his City squad return to full health.

Rory McArdle makes his first outing since shoulder surgery this afternoon in a reserve game against Hartlepool.

With Tony McMahon and Nathan Clarke also stepping up their recovery, McCall's resources are finally at their strongest – and he can afford to let players off the leash in practice.

McCall said: "Now we've got bodies back we can get in a double session with plenty of quality. Before I've been having kittens in training because we couldn't risk anyone getting hurt.

"We'd be doing a lot of stuff non-contact, working on passing and shape. But when we want it high tempo, it's been hard for me because every time they go near each other I'm shouting 'be careful!'

"Now we can get in a good training game on a Tuesday with 12-16 players. When you've only got seven or eight, you might as well play them in the reserves."

McArdle last featured in the play-off second leg at Millwall in May, finishing the season with protection on his left shoulder after dislocating it against Bury.

He had an operation to strengthen it at the start of the summer and has also been recuperating from a groin problem.

McArdle has been back in training for nearly a fortnight and McCall, who described the central defender as a "caged animal", feels he is now ready for a 45-minute appearance.

The Bantams boss said: "Rory is feeling good. He's not as strong as he wants just yet but he's working hard and I don't think he'll be too far away."

Meanwhile, fitness coach Robert Lossau has had to return home to Germany for a few weeks for personal reasons.