Kevin Ellison admitted his prospects of signing for City were doomed after a bust-up during Peter Jackson’s first game in charge.

The combative winger, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Valley Parade, returns with Morecambe on Saturday.

Ellison’s stay was ultimately cut short by an ongoing thigh injury, which he claimed was misdiagnosed. But he revealed that there was no chance of landing a permanent deal following his fall-out with Jackson in March.

“I didn’t really speak to Jackson when I left after I had a little spat with him at Gillingham away,” said Ellison.

“I wasn’t happy with a few things and he wasn’t happy from his point of view. I knew the writing was on the wall from that point.”

Ellison started only once more before straining his thigh in training – a problem that would rule him out for the final two months and force his early return to Rotherham.

“I tried to come back but I was diagnosed with different injuries,” he said.

“I went for a scan on my thigh at first and they said it was all clear. But I had another one two weeks later and it showed there was a 3cm tear. I wasn’t getting the right treatment, which obviously set me back.

“It was disappointing because it had started off all right for me at Bradford and I scored the winner against Wycombe. But these things happen.”

Ellison is back on form with the Shrimps as their 11-goal leading scorer, although Jim Bentley’s side have tailed off since topping the table earlier in the season.

He expects a lively reception back at his old club – just as he used to get before Peter Taylor brought him to City 11 months ago.

Ellison said: “I know I’ll get some stick but I’ve always enjoyed that wherever I’ve been. It’s good to have that banter.

“Hopefully I’ll have a bit more when we get the three points – and I think we can. We’re a lot better away from home when teams give us more room to play.”

Craig Fagan will be among the familiar faces in the home side and Ellison admitted it is a surprise to see his former Hull team-mate playing in the fourth tier.

He said: “I can’t believe Fages is playing in League Two. He must have been sat twiddling his thumbs at home waiting for a game.

“Fair play to him for dropping down but I don’t think he would have gone to a lesser team. Bradford are still a massive club for this level with the ground and the number of fans.

“The likes of Fagan and Andrew Davies aren’t going to go to Macclesfield are they?

“Bradford didn’t start the best this season but they’ve got the new gaffer and a few players in. James Hanson has been scoring a few goals, so they’re in a bit of form.

“But I’m looking forward to it. It’s just good to be playing again – that’s the main reason I went to Bradford last year.”