ZELI Ismail will be a big hit with City fans – despite fluffing two penalties on his debut.

Supporters got their first glimpse of the former Walsall winger against Bradford (Park Avenue) on Tuesday.

But his half-hour appearance from the bench was overshadowed by hitting the post with a spot-kick in normal time – and then blazing one wide to start the penalty shoot-out.

Gary Bowyer joked that Ismail will never be allowed to take one again but is also adamant that his unpredictable skills can make him a fans’ favourite at Valley Parade.

Read more: Spot of bother for Ismail in derby with Avenue

Bowyer said: “It was really good to get Zeli on the pitch, even though he will never ever take a penalty for Bradford City again – not even in training!

“We’ve learned that now but he also showed glimpses (of what he can do). That was his first 30 minutes of pre-season football.

“He can do things to (confuse) defenders, stop, start and then send them the wrong way. That’s what he’s been brought in to do.”

It’s nearly a decade since Ismail was touted as a potential “£100m player” while advancing up the ranks of Wolves' academy.

The 25-year-old has spent his entire career since playing in the lower divisions and joined the Bantams this summer as a free agent on the back of successive League One relegations with Bury and Walsall.

Ismail’s early progress under Bowyer has been hampered by a stiff back which had ruled him out of the pre-season action up until the last game.

But the City boss believes the right winger will offer another dimension to his team once he gets up to speed.

“Zeli is unpredictable,” he added, “and I’m sure when he is fully fit, the supporters will take to him very quickly in terms of how he does entertain.”

Meanwhile, City are confident that Luca Colville’s drawn-out contract saga is heading to the right conclusion. The midfielder has been mulling over the club’s one-year offer since it was made in May.

City would be entitled to compensation if the youngster went elsewhere because of his age. But Bowyer expects the deal to get sorted now.

He said: “I think they are very close. It’s just a case of tidying it all up now so hopefully we can get that done.”

Colville played an hour at Horsfall Stadium before making way for Ismail. His only previous game had been the first friendly against Guiseley.

Bowyer added: “He’s got to do more. But he had only played 45 minutes at Guiseley, so he’s got some catching up to do.

“But he’s doing the running and he’s got a cast on (his wrist) at the moment so we’ve got to make sure refs allow him to play.”