CLAYTON Donaldson returns to the club that launched his league career tomorrow with Gary Bowyer lauding his City contribution on and off the pitch.

Donaldson scored 49 goals in 130 appearances in three seasons for Crewe, including 28 to win the division’s golden boot in 2011.

The 36-year-old is back at Gresty Road to spearhead the Bantams attack as they look for an instant response to last week’s first loss.

Bowyer said: “I’m sure Clayton will get a good reception. He’s done the same wherever he’s been and that’s give his all for the colours he’s wearing.

“He’ll be fondly remembered for his time down there and I know he is looking forward to it.

“I went and watched him last year and he gives his absolute everything. He’s been the same for us ever since he walked into the building.

“He has been magnificent off the pitch in terms of how he’s been with the younger players and has helped the younger defenders. That’s worth a huge amount for us.

“The fans have a personal attachment to him because he’s a local boy as well and that’s one of the reasons I brought him back to the club.”

Bowyer watched Crewe lose 6-1 to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup – a score he felt didn’t do the home side justice – and anticipates a “proper” game to round off the first month of the season.

“It’s been an interesting start in terms of the personnel and opposition we’ve come up against and how people have set up so far,” he added.

“But for the fact we bought in quite a few players with a new team, and one or two things still happening with the window, there’s a hell of a lot to look forward to.

“We’ve dusted ourselves down and got ready for a game against a good footballing team.”

Loan duo Callum Cooke and Jamie Devitt could both make their first starts after a full week’s training with their new team.

Full back Adam Henley is still out as Connor Wood continues to deputise on the left. Jackson Longridge, who has made only one sub appearance in the league since his summer move from Dunfermline, is again expected to miss out.

Bowyer said: “Jacko has come down from Scotland and it’s a slightly different type of football. He’s working ever so hard.

“He narrowly missed out against Stevenage and it was the same last week.

“We’ve identified a plan for him to get stronger and working on him from a footballing point of view and the lad’s doing all right.”

Bowyer remians hopeful of further additions before Monday's deadline, adding: "We're still looking at one or two areas."