CITY are mulling over when to take the risk and throw Jake Reeves into a game again.

The midfielder has not kicked a ball competitively since undergoing groin surgery in April 2018. His last game was 20 months ago against previous club Wimbledon.

But Gary Bowyer has continued to champion his chances of making a first-team return.

Reeves was recently able to join in with training after his long-term rehab work and the City boss can see the progress being made.

Bowyer is now considering when they feel it will be right to test the 26-year-old in proper action.

He said: “You look at him now as just a normal player that’s training with us.

“That’s exactly what he wants. He’s getting better and better and stronger and stronger with every session.

“I spoke to him the other morning and asked how he was and he says it’s the best it’s been.

“At some point we’re going to have to go to that next stage with him.

“People got excited when he did join back in a couple of weeks ago and were thinking we’ll put him back into full training and want to give him a game.

“But it’s important we’re taking it step-by-step with him. The next stage obviously will be to have 45 minutes somewhere and see how he goes in that.

“How he recovers after that is the most important thing.”

Bowyer reckons Reeves is already playing a part with his presence on the training ground. With Clayton Donaldson ruled out with his toe injury, having another experienced head back in the group is timely.

Bowyer added: “I can’t speak highly enough of the lad in terms of the impact he’s had on the squad while still being out the team.

“His experience and knowledge of the game is very good and he keeps passing that on. He helps not just the younger players but the older ones as well.

“People like him have come in at the right time to maintain the standards obviously since the loss of Clayton’s experience.

“Jake has joined in now for the last couple of weeks at least and he’s been able to do the majority of the sessions – if not all of them.

“We’re going day-by-day with it but I’ve been massively impressed with his character and how he adds to the group on the training pitch.

“He’s very vocal and hopefully he progresses now to the next level.”