STUART McCall admits James Hanson's absence has not been a big worry – because City have made such a slick start.

But the Bantams boss hopes the talismanic targetman will be back in contention for the upcoming double-header against Oxford and Southend.

Hanson has started only once in 12 games because of a recurring calf problem. He has not been involved at all in the five matches City have played since he last featured against Bristol Rovers.

Yet the long-serving striker's lack of involvement has not hampered his unbeaten side as they continue to enjoy a club-record opening to the season.

McCall said: "If I'm honest, it isn't a concern because of the results. If we weren't winning or didn't have options, then of course I would be thinking 'what's up with him'.

"But James will obviously be desperate to get back and we want him in the squad again. He's been out running and doing finishing and is ready to join in training with us.

"He's getting there and hopefully he will have a good week behind him and be available for selection, if not at the weekend then for next Tuesday."

Hanson is yet to get off the mark since the manager who signed him from Guiseley in 2009 returned to the club during the summer. His last goals were the first hat-trick of his career against Walsall in April.

But he took a kick on the calf in that game, which developed into a tear when he tried to play through it the following week at Southend and ruled him out of the play-offs.

Hanson missed a further spell in pre-season after tweaking his groin in Scotland and his calf issue flared again at Peterborough three games into the campaign. Then there was another problem with the other calf on his comeback last month against Bristol Rovers.

McCall has a lot of sympathy for Hanson, who remains third on City's all-time leading scorer list still six goals behind second-placed Frank O'Rourke. The 28-year-old striker is among the clutch of players within the squad in the final season of their contracts.

McCall said: "James works so hard. He missed a lot of pre-season but his fitness levels are very good for somebody that big.

"He got his original injury at Peterborough because he just wanted to help the team out. He got cramp with 15 minutes left but wanted to stay on.

"He'd played 90 minutes against Port Vale, 120 at Accrington then 90 again in the Peterborough game. Not many without a full pre-season would have been able to do that in the first week.

"He was running back to help in the left-back position when we were working so hard to see the game out and in the end that cost him a little bit.

"He did play the full 90 minutes against Bristol Rovers but got another whack on his calf. It's just been unfortunate for him."