KELVIN Mellor is poised to add another string to City’s bow in their League One survival bid.

The versatile defender has not played since before Christmas, missing the last nine games after tweaking his knee in training.

Mellor has taken slightly longer to recover than the Bantams first predicted but is continuing to step up his recovery on the training ground.

And David Hopkin believes he will be back in contention for at least one of the vital Valley Parade double-header against Fleetwood and Plymouth.

The Bantams boss said: “I’m hoping Kelvin will be back either for the Fleetwood game or definitely for Plymouth and I think Sean (Scannell) will be two weeks after him.

“Kelvin was playing fantastically before the injury. We were on a great run when he was in the team.

“He gave us a bit of height and presence and was very good at set-plays. So hopefully we can get him back in the next two weeks and he’ll have a massive part to play in the team.”

Mellor’s utility role has already come in handy for City, switching from right back to right midfield to cover Scannell’s absence. He also slotted in briefly at centre half when Nathaniel Knight-Percival was suspended.

He can offer further cover there again following Ryan McGowan’s loan move to Dundee.

“He gives us those options and that’s why it’s so vital to get him back,” added Hopkin. “Hopefully we can keep him fit for the remainder of the season.”

City have bounced back since the home shocker against Southend with two away draws and the dramatic late win over Shrewsbury.

They build up to Fleetwood’s visit this weekend still slightly frustrated not to come back from Wycombe with more than a goalless draw.

Hopkin said: “The players were a wee bit disappointed afterwards because they realised there was a chance to take three points.

“But Wycombe are a very good side and I think they’d won eight out of 10 at home. It wasn’t an easy place to go.

“They put everything in the box with quality and they’ve got good players who have been playing together over the past few seasons.

“They deserve great credit where they are in the league and to keep a clean sheet was important.

“Looking back, it was a good week playing two games away against teams in the top half as well as Shrewsbury at Valley Parade. We maybe set ourselves a target a bit higher but we were delighted with the five points.

“Now we must try to keep that consistent form going now.”