City have recalled Joe Colbeck from Darlington ahead of the Christmas rush.

The 21-year-old was back in training with the Bantams yesterday and was expected to go straight into the picture at Chesterfield this afternoon.

Stuart McCall asked Quakers boss Dave Penney to send the winger back early - only ten days after agreeing to extend his loan spell into a second month. McCall made his move because Alex Rhodes is taking longer to get over his hamstring injury than expected.

With Colbeck back as an option on the right flank, he may now be tempted to switch Omar Daley to the left, where he played earlier in the season.

The City boss watched Darlington at Grimsby on Tuesday, seeing Colbeck come off the bench with 16 minutes left and set up the final goal in an emphatic 4-0 win.

He said: "The loan has benefited Joe even though he's been in and out. But when he's played, he's scored a couple of goals and been involved in a few assists and confidence-wise it will have done him no harm.

"He's got some football under his belt and come back to us with a bit more belief.

"All the wide men we've got are left-hand side with only Omar on the right and sometimes I feel he can be more effective in other areas of the pitch.

"Nicky Law can play right-side as a stop-gap but I don't think that's his best position. But Joe coming back gives us another alternative.

"We'd like to think he's come back a bit fresher but proof will be in the pudding.

"I hope he will come back fired up and focused and wanting to do a good job for us.

"We didn't bring Joe back because he was sat on their bench but because of Alex taking a little bit of time to recover.

"And the more I see of Omar on the right, I probably think we could use him better elsewhere."

Colbeck has not played for City since coming on as a substitute at MK Dons two months ago.

Meanwhile, Gillingham boss Mark Stimson has revealed that he will not stand in Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu's way if he wants to join City.

Ndumbu-Nsungu was loaned out by Stimson's predecessor Ronnie Jepson.

The deal runs out on New Year's Day and the striker is keen to stay.

Stimson said: "I read that he wants to make the move permanent. I haven't had time to see him yet because there's been so much to do here.

"But if he wants to join another club, then he can. I only want players who want to play for Gillingham."