Mark Bower is being tipped to play a leading role in City's back four this season - by the man he is keeping out of the side.

Jason Gavin expects a tough battle to win back a place at centre half because of the local defender's form.

Gavin said: "Bowser can do a great job in there. I told him he was the best defender on the pitch at Hartlepool.

"He is doing really well alongside Dave Wetherall so it doesn't look as though I'm going to get a game.

"Bowser deserves his chance and I'll just have to work extra hard so that if the opportunity comes for me again I will take it."

Gavin has been sidelined with a foot injury picked up in the opening pre-season friendly. But he plans to step up his comeback with an outing for the reserves against Barnsley on Tuesday.

He added: "I've had a full week's training now and I'm aiming to get back in the squad straight away. Obviously though it's up to the gaffer and he may think different.

"The foot is not 100 per cent right at the moment but I've done a lot of running. I'm feeling fit but obviously lacking in match fitness.

"Pre-season is a bad time to get injured and it put me back four weeks behind the rest of the lads. It's a lot to catch up and they have also had plenty of games as well."

Colin Todd said: "Mark's done fine in that position and he's got to make sure his performances keep up to that consistent level."