EOIN Doyle’s prolific start for Swindon is not bringing out the green-eyed monster in Gary Bowyer.

Doyle is Swindon’s top scorer with seven goals in his nine appearances since leaving City on a season-long loan, although he has not scored in the last three.

The club won’t comment on whether there is a clause in the deal for a possible recall in the January transfer window.

But he is not allowed to face his parent club at Valley Parade this weekend.

Doyle’s explosive form has not come as a shock to Bowyer – and the Bantams boss insists he is not envious at seeing the striker hitting the net regularly for a potential promotion rival.

Bowyer said: “It doesn’t surprise he has started so well because he has scored goals throughout his career.

“In a team that obviously got relegated last year, he still managed to get double figures for us.

“I know some people will say a lot of them were penalties but you’ve still got to score them. It’s not as easy as you think.

“It’s a move that’s just freshened him up a little bit but he’s still someone we are keeping a close eye on, that's for sure.”

Doyle is understood to be one of the top earners at Valley Parade - with Swindon believed to be paying more than half of his wages.

He did not get off the mark in the first three games of the season for City.

But he scored a late equaliser at League Two leaders Exeter on his Swindon debut and has followed up with doubles against Cheltenham, Morecambe and Macclesfield.

Bowyer added: “I’m pleased for the lad.

I know some people who probably wouldn’t be but the human nature is that you always want people to do well, especially when they are still registered as your player."

City have yet to beat a side above them as they prepare to face Richie Wellens’ fifth-placed side. But Bowyer believes the overall standard of the division is on the rise.

“It doesn’t matter what team we’re playing, you always know it’s going to be a very difficult game," he said. "Saturday will be no different.

“I think the standard of the coaching at this level has improved because of the knock-on effect of all the foreign coaches not just coming into the Premier League but also going down into the Championship.

“I also think the standard of the player has gone up. You hear the FA talking about the number of foreign players playing in our country and the lack of opportunities for the English lads in the Premier League.

“But that has a knock-on effect further down the divisions.”