GARY Bowyer has challenged Danny Devine to keep coming out of his shell and make his presence felt for City.

The Bradford-born midfielder’s first goal for the club recently has provided a timely confidence boost.

And Bowyer is now looking for him to keep kicking on as injuries present more opportunities in the starting line-up.

The City boss said: “I’ve been impressed with him when he’s come on as a sub.

“He makes a difference and has an impact, whether that’s in a defensive role or an attacking one.

“We want him to be doing that when he starts and cementing a place in the team permanently.

“The fans identify with him because he’s a Bradford lad and it’s important that clubs like ours have that.”

Devine has had mixed fortunes since making his City debut as an 18-year-old in 2016.

But Bowyer gave him a new contract in the summer and sees the former St Bede’s pupil as a key member of a squad still hit hard by casualties.

The lengthy absence of Matty Palmer, Jamie Devitt and Jordan Gibson as well as Harry Pritchard and Dylan Connolly has created openings in City's engine room. The fiasco surrounding Chris Taylor has just added to the need for more available bodies in there.

Bowyer has earmarked Devine to keep challenging for a shirt.

The City boss added: “I can’t speak of what happened to Danny before I came in but he impressed me at the back end of last season.

“He’s started the season a bit up and down but scoring that first goal (against Crawley) was brilliant for him.

“His mum and dad were in the stand and the rest of his family. It will have been a great moment for them, being a local lad and scoring his first league goal.

“We want him to kick on. The message it to build on that now.”