GARY Bowyer wants “Championship” player Sean Scannell to spearhead City’s League Two revival next season.

Scannell’s recent return from a long-term injury absence has offered a glimmer of hope as relegation to the bottom division was confirmed.

The winger has started the last three games after coming off the bench against Doncaster to end a six-month lay-off with a fractured back.

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Scannell’s marathon spell on the sidelines has proved hugely costly for the Bantams, who currently have no other winger in the squad.

And Bowyer views him as a potentially key part of his plans for next term – even though he feels the former Huddersfield and Crystal Palace flyer could be playing at a much higher level.

The City boss said: “Sean’s contracted here for next season.

“Can he play in the Championship? Yes, he can in my opinion.

“But we’ll see what happens in the summer. Hopefully nobody rings about him.”

Bowyer used Scannell as a second striker alongside George Miller against Gillingham on Monday. His extra pace and willingness to take on defenders underlined what City have been lacking.

“It is frustrating because he puts teams on the back foot,” admitted Bowyer. “You saw his quality again.

“It’s a bit like Bullseye with ‘look what you could have won’.

“But we can’t look back. He’s only going to get better for sure because of his fitness from the games and the match sharpness.”

Scannell, who had played 12 times prior to his serious injury, is one of the 16 players who remain on the club’s books for next season or beyond.

Bowyer will be looking to move some on as part of the summer overhaul that he has been plotting towards since taking over the Valley Parade reins at the beginning of last month.

He has not been deterred by a tough run of results which saw City lose seven on the bounce before stopping the rot with Monday’s draw.

Bowyer added: “When we came in, we were looking at performances. I’ve been stood there many times after games saying we should have got something from them.

“I went through the games the other day and looked at the key moments. We’ve always had those big moments – missed penalties, hitting the woodwork when it’s 0-0 or conceding in the last minute.

“From my point of view, it’s a club I wanted to come to as soon as I knew they were interested.

“The players are playing for their careers, whether it’s at Bradford City or not. They cannot afford not to perform.

“We’ve got a massive rebuilding job to do. It’s clear as that.”