ALEX Gilliead had made his mind up last season that he wanted to come back to City.

The Newcastle winger could get a run-out against Bradford Park Avenue this afternoon in the opening friendly after rejoining the club on a second loan.

Gilliead, who returns initially until January, trained with the squad again yesterday and is delighted to be back in familiar surroundings.

It was something he had hoped for during his first injury-affected stint at Valley Parade.

Gilliead said: "I had it in my head that I did want to come back at the back end of last season. It was a good place to be last season and hopefully it will be the same this year.

"I know probably half the lads already, I know the manager and coaching staff and they know me. They know my personality and what I'm going to give them.

"Last year I didn't show my full potential because I got injured just when I was trying to get started. But I've come back now and I'm trying to play as many games as I possibly can and help the team."

Gilliead suffered a hamstring injury at Coventry which ruled him out until the final league game against Rochdale.

Yet the fact he stayed in West Yorkshire at the time to do his rehabilitation work underlined his determination to make his mark with the club.

He said: "That was one of the main reasons why I wanted to stay down here. I'd just started three games and it was in the third one when I got injured.

"I went back up to Newcastle for three or four days so they could assess it but I said I'd rather show my face around here so the manager didn't forget about me.

"I wasn't frustrated but I had to be patient to get back in the team. Obviously I played a couple of minutes in the semi-final and sat on the bench at Wembley.

"Coming back this time round, I'm here for a lot of pre-season so I've got to get my head down and show the manager what I can do. Hopefully I'll be in his plans for the season."

Stuart McCall highlighted the 21-year-old as his top choice as City's only genuine senior winger following Mark Marshall's exit for Charlton.

That responsibility further appealed in Gilliead's choice to come back and Newcastle will be monitoring closely how he gets on.

But he is not taking his position in the team for granted and said: "Last year it was me and Marshy. I was chasing him when I came in because he was starting and doing well – so when I got my chance, I had to try and show what I could do.

"But I'm not coming here thinking I'm going to start every game. I know the manager likes to play different formations sometimes and there are some lads who can play out on the wing.

"Of course I want to play every minute but I've got to put myself in the best position to do that.

"But the manager must like me because he wanted me to come back. We got it sorted early, so I'm happy and I think Bradford are happy as well.

"I wanted to get out and do pre-season, playing the games and showing the manager how I played. We've got some good games coming up and I'm looking forward to them."