DANNY Devine is building up for a “strange” return to Valley Parade tomorrow.

The former Bantams midfielder – and boyhood fan – is set to line-up against them when he comes back to West Yorkshire with Carlisle.

Devine made his first league start for the Cumbrians in Wednesday’s win over Salford and was named man of the match.

With one-time City loanee Callum Guy suspended after receiving his fifth booking, Devine’s chances of keeping his shirt have increased.

Devine played 53 times for his hometown club after joining in the under-13s before being released at the end of last season.

He is excited to be going back for Carlisle – even if there will again be nobody there to see it.

Devine said: “It will be strange for me to be in the stadium but not be playing for the home team.

“It’s one I’m looking forward to and hopefully we can get a good result.

“But it’s just another game. It was my last club but it’s just another game.

“It doesn’t matter what game it is, when you get the opportunity to play you know the gaffer is always watching so it’s a chance to show him what you can do.

“All you can do when you get the nod to play is show everyone that you’re ready. You’ve just got to give it your all and do your best for the team.

“The lads have been playing well so all I’ve been able to do is bide my time and make sure I take my chance when I got it.”

Chris Beech’s team are up to fifth place after their latest victory and will fancy their chances against the struggling Bantams.

Devine added: “The boys have been at it all season. We’ve just got to keep doing what we’re good at and what we know we can do.

“If we do that, I’m sure we can beat anyone in this league.

“We’ve just got to keep ourselves grounded and take each game as it comes. We won’t get ahead of ourselves, we’re only at the start of December and there’s still a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the season.

“It doesn’t matter where teams are in the table, no games in this league are easy.

“Bradford are down there at the moment but we know they’re still a good team and we need to be on our game to beat them.”