COLIN Doyle has got an extra spring in his step after returning from the international wilderness.

Doyle will be back in City's goal for this afternoon's match at Southend after his stint away with the Republic of Ireland.

He was on the bench as third-choice keeper as Martin O'Neill's men beat Austria in Vienna to go top of their World Cup qualifying group.

Doyle, who has one cap – against Ecuador in 2007 – impressed during his training sessions with Ireland's goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh and City have received glowing reports.

Bantams boss Stuart McCall said: "The feedback we've had from the coaches there has been fantastic. I know the number one Darren Randolph, who I had at Motherwell. He's a good guy and a very good keeper.

"But Doyley did really well by all accounts. They are all saying that he has done himself justice, considering he's been out of it for a while."

Rouven Sattelmaier kept a clean sheet in City's crushing win over Rochdale in Doyle's absence but the 31-year-old will resume the role as they chase a third straight league win.

McCall said: "He came back to reality because Banksie (goalkeeping coach Steve Banks) really put him through it on his first day back.

"But Doyley was buzzing after being part of a great win for Republic of Ireland and also seeing our result against Rochdale."

That was City's biggest win of the season and means they head for Roots Hall on the back of scoring ten goals in the last three league outings.

McCall is pleased to see them finally discover a cutting edge for the numerous chances being created.

He said: "I don't know what it is but maybe the players aren't getting anxious in those positions. Even last week, we had opportunities to have scored more.

"But I don't like managers coming out afterwards saying they could have had ten or 11. Just be decent and enjoy a good win.

"It's the squad that's getting us the results. The way the players who aren't in the team are training every day and chomping at the bit is keeping the level of consistency high for those that are involved.

"We know the quality, commitment and togetherness of this group."

Southend are running into form after a sticky start and McCall is not surprised. Shrimpers boss Phil Brown told him after last month's draw at Valley Parade that their fortunes would pick up as big players returned.

McCall said: "Phil was a lot more confident. They were a bit doom and gloom early on but they didn't have the resources. Now he's got his fully fit squad, they are a match for anyone in this league.

"He's got Anton Ferdinand up to fitness and (Nile) Ranger and (Simon) Cox up front. You think of (Steve) Morrison and (Lee) Gregory at Millwall but otherwise there are not many combos like that in this league.

"People must be sick of me saying it but Southend are another tough team when they've got their strongest side out.

"They've been to Sheffield United and won 3-0, drew at Bolton, scored three at MK Dons and won 4-1 at Bury last week. But we can't go into this game any more confident than we are."

Meanwhile, Tony McMahon will step up his recovery again on Monday by joining in full training.