GARY Bowyer is excited by the thought of a fully-fit Sean Scannell tearing into League Two.

The winger showed glimpses of his class as City opened their pre-season programme with a 2-0 win at Guiseley.

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Bowyer switched his team completely at the interval – with Scannell playing in the first-half side.

His cross set up Clayton Donaldson for City’s first goal – a partnership that the fans are hoping will prove productive in the push for instant promotion.

Bowyer expects Scannell to have a big role to play after sitting out most of his first year at Valley Parade with a fractured back.

He said: “That (goal) just shows you the quality of Scanns and what he is capable of in this league, in particular.

“With the position of Clayton, it’s going to be massive for us this season.

“I’m delighted Scanns is here. He expressed his desire to stay at the end of the season.

“We’ve worked with him in pre-season. He needs to get fitter, he knows that, because obviously he missed a bit part of last season.

“You could see in those last games (at the end of the season) what he offers.

“We’ll keep working with him, as we will with them all, and get ready for the next two games in this week.”

City fielded six of the 10 summer signings. Paudie O’Connor, Zeli Ismail, Jackson Longridge and Matty Palmer, who did some pre-match fitness running on the pitch, were not involved.

Bowyer insisted there was nothing to be read into their absences.

“It was just soreness in one or two,” he added.

“Once you finish the running and go into the possession and the games we set up for the fitness, then you do run the risk of picking up one or two bumps and bruises.

“That’s all it is. So rather than push them in the game, they had a gym session and worked very hard.

“Hopefully they can re-join the group at the beginning of the week.”

Altrincham midfielder Mason Fawns, one of three trialists on show, scored City’s other goal early in the second half.

Bowyer felt it was mission accomplished at Nethermoor.

He said: “There are many obstacles that are put in front of you in that first game of pre-season that you have to try and overcome. I’m pleased to say we’ve done it.

“I was delighted with the fact we were able to get 45 minutes into everybody. First and foremost, we came through with no injuries.

“It’s been a tough two weeks with double sessions and working hard. We knew they’d be a bit leggy going into the game but I was pleased with what I’ve seen.

“It was good to see some patterns we’ve tried to implement in training coming out in the game.

“Then to see one of your strikers get his first goal is always a bonus, especially for Clayton being a Bradford-born lad and wanting the club to do so well. It was important that that happens.

“There were lots of good bits of play. We knew Guiseley would provide us with a stern test, which they certainly did.

“The whole planning of pre-season is aimed towards that first league game – and the best thing for me was that we got no injuries.”