DEREK Adams can see light at the end of the injury tunnel as City build their longer-term absentees back up to speed.

Charles Vernam and Theo Robinson both featured in Saturday’s win over Rochdale.

And Adams hopes to have more good news on the casualty front in the next few weeks.

Lee Angol and Abo Eisa have both been out since mid-August and skipper Niall Canavan has missed the last five games. City are also still without Caolan Lavery.

But Adams is hopeful that all will be back in contention this month to provide the added competition for places that has been limited in recent weeks when results have tailed off.

Angol and Eisa, in particular, have been big misses to City’s attacking options. The Bantams chief believes they can build up the necessary levels on the training ground without the need of playing practice matches.

Adams said: “We’re still looking at this month to get them back in full training.

“We would have to get them up to speed as quickly as possible.

“If you look at Arsenal as a prime example, a lot of their players in the past didn’t play reserve games and just came straight into the first team.

“They had worked with the fitness and rehabilitation coach and they got them up to match speed through their drills and work ethic.

“That’s what I hope to do here to get them up to speed so they can come off the bench and get their minutes that way.

“But it’s important we understand where they are in their working week and when they come back, they are ready to go.”

Vernam was taken off as a precaution near the end of the weekend’s game – with Robinson taking his place and almost scoring his first City goal in the closing minutes.

Adams said: “Charles Vernam only started training on Thursday and Theo Friday.

“I haven’t got many options on the bench and needed another striker. At this moment I need to get these injured players back.

“They are getting there and hopefully all will be back this month. That will be a massive boost for us.”