Kyel Reid hopes to show Jamie Lawrence he is fit to wear the shirt.

Bantams icon Lawrence has always joked that nobody has ever replaced him as the club’s number seven.

Reid has the jersey for this season – and the banter has already been flying between the pair.

The City winger laughed: “He’s given me some stick and asked me ‘how does it fit’? He reckons I’ve got to fill the shirt out!

“Jamie is someone I look up to and we speak quite a lot because he’s good pals with my agent.

“He’s a Bradford legend so we always have a bit of a laugh about that. He was a great player and professional and had a good time here.

“He still comes now and again and I know he’s planning to see a game soon – so I’ll have to be on top form!”

Reid has also been helped by the arrival of close mate Zavon Hines on City’s other flank. Hines came off the bench for Will Atkinson for the last half hour on Saturday and will be vying for a starting spot at Spotland.

Reid said: “It’s always good to have someone on the opposite side that’s got good ability. It takes a bit of pressure off you to perform all the time.

“I’ve known Zav a long time from our youth-team days at West Ham.

“I used to see him quite a lot last season when he was at Burnley and we’d go out for food. He’s one of my best friends outside of football.

“Every game so far I’ve noticed there will always be two or three men on me, which makes it more difficult to get on the ball.

“It’s good to know you’re a threat to teams and if there’s someone else in the same position, that definitely helps.

“It’s enjoyable to play in this team and the manager has been brilliant with me since I got here. I’ve got a lot of faith and belief in him and I know he has in me.”