ALEX Gilliead is being lined up for a Valley Parade return.

City are hopeful of bringing back the Newcastle winger on a year's loan.

Rafa Benitez's squad return for pre-season today and Gilliead will join them for fitness testing.

But talks have already taken place between the two clubs about the 21-year-old coming back to West Yorkshire.

Stuart McCall, who expects to see Tony McMahon back in the fold, wants Gilliead as the wide replacement for Mark Marshall.

The departure of last season's player of the year for Charlton has left the squad without a genuine senior winger and McCall believes Gilliead would fit the bill.

The Bantams boss said: "There are ongoing discussions about Gilly returning and I think Newcastle would be happy.

"Tayls (Paul Taylor) might play on the left but we've nobody on that right side.

"We need one out-and-out genuine winger. Last year we had him and Marshy and it's something we are looking at to bring Gilly back."

Gilliead impressed during his loan spell last term, despite missing eight games with a torn hamstring.

He recovered in time to start the final league outing at Rochdale before coming off the bench for the last 20 minutes of the play-off semi-final second leg against Fleetwood. He was an unused substitute at Wembley.

He made ten appearances in total, five from the start, and fits in to the model City are targeting of promising young players they believe can improve with the club.

Gilliead would want assurances of regular game time before agreeing to drop down from the Premier League new boys. With Marshall gone, he is likely to feature heavily in McCall's plans.

City have been boosted by the news that McMahon is ready to sign a new deal.

He had been linked with Blackburn, Wigan and Preston, while Peterborough were also understood to have shown an interest.

McMahon missed the first two days of pre-season while the situation was being finalised but is now expected back at Woodhouse Grove to rejoin the squad.

The full back's return will provide added experience as City now look to fill the gap at centre half following Rory McArdle's exit, although they are not thought to be in for rumoured target Jordan Turnbull from Coventry.

They are, however, pushing to seal the deal with Wimbledon midfielder Jake Reeves this week.