SEAN Scannell’s sudden return could provide the spark needed for City’s desperate relegation dogfight.

That is what Gary Bowyer is hoping after being surprised by how quickly the winger has progressed in training this week.

Scannell is poised for his first League One action in six months tomorrow against Doncaster after coming through unscathed in a practice game.

He played 45 minutes and scored in a training match on Tuesday and has shown no ill effects as Bowyer toys with the idea of throwing him back into the Valley Parade fray.

The City boss said: “If we’re being brutally honest, Sean’s the only one we’ve got with what he possesses and what he brings.

“For us to have him back at this stage of the season, hopefully he can play a major part for us.

“Obviously we’ve got to be careful with him and don’t rush him too stupidly. But we’re running out of games now.

“He’s been good this week and has put himself forward.”

Scannell has been out of the picture since fracturing his back in October and Bowyer did not anticipating seeing him back so soon.

City have been monitoring the 28-year-old’s recovery on a daily basis – and the manager hopes his comeback will inspire his team-mates.

It has come as a timely lift for the division’s bottom club as they try to claw back the six-point gap to safety.

Bowyer added: “He did something in the first minute of the game and I’m thinking ‘gosh, I wish we’d had that for the length of time we’ve been here.’

“But it is what it is and we’ve got to look after him and make sure he is right.

“It’s settled down very quickly and we’re delighted.

“He trained well, went straight into the game and came out fine without a problem.

“He’s given everybody a lift around the training ground, myself included. His quality stands out a mile.

“It gives the players the confidence and belief. When you’ve got somebody like him, it just spurs them on a little bit more and we look forward to getting him back on the pitch.”

Bowyer maintains survival is still possible going into the final six games, even though City head into the Yorkshire derby with sixth-placed Rovers on the back of four straight losses.

“At this stage of the season, there are no gimmes or certainties,” he said. “If we can manage to put a performance together and get the win, then the players will come into work on Monday with a big smile on their face.”

Bowyer admits the dual task of trying to stave off the drop while simultaneously looking towards a hectic summer is “keeping him awake”.

“It’s interesting but it’s part of the job and the challenge that I like of building a squad.

“I want to bring in the right people. I don’t want ones who are going to be disruptive or not willing to put a shift in.

“If they’re not committed to what I want us to do then I won’t entertain them.”