GARY Bowyer is keeping in regular touch with Eoin Doyle as City ponder over bringing him back.

Doyle, the league’s leading scorer with 23 goals, cannot feature for Swindon against the Bantams tomorrow as part of his loan agreement.

The details of his season-long deal remain confidential so neither club can speak publicly about whether there is a recall option.

READ MORE: Bantams tight-lipped on Doyle position

But it would be very unusual for that not to be the case – and if City are able to take him back, it appears likely that they will.

Bowyer, though, has been talking regularly with the free-scoring frontman since he joined Swindon in August.

The City boss said: “I’ve been in contact with him ever since he’s left.

“I always keep in contact with all the loan players who have gone out. I speak with Omari (Patrick) and Sam (Hornby) at Wrexham and Fylde.

“I’ve done that with Doyler throughout the time that he’s been down there.

“I think it’s important you maintain the communication even if it’s just a text to say ‘well done’ or ‘how did the game go’. It’s something I’ve always done as a manager anyway.”

Paul Jewell, who is Swindon’s director of football, is liaising with City over Doyle. But their chairman Lee Power, the former Bantams striker, admitted last week that the situation was “one we can do nothing about”.

Doyle, who scored again at Plymouth on New Year’s Day, recently said in an interview that he would be “disappointed” to leave Swindon.

But Bowyer added: “Strikers are strikers and I understand that when you’re in a routine of scoring goals.

“If they have two pints before a game and they keep scoring, they’ll keep doing that. But ultimately he’s employed by Bradford City.

“I can’t say anything at this moment but certainly conversations will take place and I’ll be made aware of the situation and where we currently stand.

“We’ll know more after we’ve had those discussions.”

City head for the County Ground six points behind Swindon with a game in hand. It is the first of four away games in the next five for Bowyer’s side this month.

He said: “The challenge will be keeping hold of their manager Richie Wellens. I’ve got a lot of time for him and the way he goes about it.

“He’s been there a while now and got them playing a certain way. They are doing ever so well.”

City beat Swindon at Valley Parade in October and Bowyer said: “We were very good on the front foot that day. It was one of our best performances and we’re going to need to repeat that.”