GARY Bowyer cannot wait to have a fully-fit Harry Pritchard driving City forward again.

Pritchard has been absent for the last four games since pulling up in the warm-up at Carlisle on Boxing Day.

It was a recurrence of the back problem that has dogged him recently – and a major source of frustration for his manager.

Bowyer is taking a cautious approach with Pritchard’s recovery to ensure the issue does not flare up once more.

“He’s doing all right,” said the City boss. “He’s been getting stronger and is pain-free now, which is good.

“You’ve got to be careful with a back issue. But he’s been to see the specialist and there’s no other form of treatment required other than working on his core and strengthening that area.

“We’re pleased that he doesn’t have to take it any further. Knowing him as he is, he will follow the programme to the tee.”

Pritchard scored against Salford at Valley Parade in his last appearance the week before Christmas – his third goal to go along with six assists since joining the Bantams from Blackpool in the August transfer window.

Bowyer is understandably keen to restore his impact to the team.

He added: “Harry’s had a fantastic first half of the season for us. But I knew exactly what we were getting when I signed him.

“I’m delighted with how he’s gone about it and the assists that he’s provided.

“We want to get him back and keep him fit this time.”

Bowyer is likely to stick with a back four at Crawley after leaving out Paudie O’Connor as the third centre half against Swindon last week.

City had lined up with three in the middle through the previous month.

Bowyer has been delighted with the defensive adaptability with formation in a run when they have let in only two in six games.

“It’s a massive weapon to have as has been proved over the Christmas period.

“We felt our wide players needed a bit of a breather. We quite easily forget that this is Dylan Connolly’s first proper season and he only came over this time last year.

“We just changed it a little bit initially to get two centre forwards up there and give them a breather.

“But there are certain games when you need more size in the team because of the opposition.

“We’re not too ignorant or arrogant to dismiss that. You have to take them into consideration.”