JORDAN Gibson will have an input in City’s trip to Stevenage – even if he is not in the squad.

Gary Bowyer plans to make a late call on the winger, who missed Saturday’s opening win of the season with a tight hamstring.

Gibson would love to feature at the club where he spent the second half of last season.

But whether City risk him or not, Bowyer has already tapped him up for some inside information.

“In the meetings that we have, you always tap into the players’ knowledge and whether they have played for the club or been on loan there or for a certain manager,” said the City boss.

“Jordan has made a contribution to that with Robbie (Bloodworth) the analyst already.

“It’s an interesting one but you look at rugby union and they name their teams three or four days before the game.

“Everything is near enough out there on the table.

“We could name our team early and they’ve still got to deal with James Vaughan and Clayton Donaldson.

“Even if they know it, they still have to deal with it. So, you can look at it both ways.”

Gibson went to the Lamex Stadium at the end of the January transfer window but found opportunities limited for Dino Maamria’s side.

He made just six appearances, two of them starts, and scored once on the final day of the season against Cheltenham.

Despite his bit-part involvement, Gibson believes his spell with the Hertfordshire club has helped with his development as a young player.

He said: “I needed it. I learned a lot on and off the pitch and I think it’s going to hold me in good stead for this season.

“Obviously I didn’t have to leave Bradford at the time and could have stayed in my comfort zone even though I wasn’t playing.

“But I took the challenge to go somewhere else and try and get games.

“I didn’t get a lot of game-time unfortunately, but I learned a lot in terms of how the manager was, the different styles and I can take that experience into this league.

“It’s all part of the journey. You have sometimes got to take risks and go somewhere to prove yourself.

“Obviously I’m back now and that’s what I’m trying to do here because this club is where I want to play my football.

“The gaffer spoke to me when I was at Stevenage. He was always there on the phone.

“I came back and thought to myself, ‘I’ve got one year left on my deal and I have to prove myself now’.

“I’ve got a good manager who has full faith in me and it’s the best club to be at. I really hope this is going to be a good season for me and the team.”