DION Pereira is finally poised to make his belated entry into City’s season.

The on-loan Luton winger was the first of the seven recruits during the January transfer window.

But he remains the only one yet to kick a ball in competitive action after being laid low by illness and then a recurring calf injury.

Nearly two months after joining the Bantams, Pereira has been given the green light to stake his claim in new manager Mark Hughes’ plans.

Hughes confirmed that he is under consideration for the squad to face Swindon at the weekend as the squad’s on-going injury issues slowly begin to ease.

He said: “It’s been a frustrating time for Dion and for us but he seems well in with the group. He’s very much in with the loudest crowd that we have here!

“He’s clearly integrated well, it’s just the fact that he hasn’t been able to show what he can do.

“He recognises he is a good player but it’s that frustration of not being out there so far.

“Dion trained with us last week but I just felt it wasn’t right to put him straight in on Saturday. But he is certainly pushing to be involved.”

Pereira signed a new contract with Luton last summer and the Championship club view him as one for the future.

But he has been limited to just one game this season during a disappointing loan spell at Notts County before the latest setbacks. Hatters boss Nathan Jones wants him to “learn the importance of putting his body on the line for points.”

Jamie Walker is also understood to be getting closer to a City return from the hamstring injury that he suffered in Derek Adams’ final game in charge against Exeter.

But Charles Vernam is still recovering from the hamstring problem that has kept him out of the picture since the end of January.

Hughes added: “Charles is possibly going to be a bit longer but he’s working really hard with the support staff and hopefully we’ll get him back as quickly as possible.

“We want players that are a little bit different and can cause the opposition problems and clearly Charles is that type.

“The injuries are something we need to have a look at over time and see if anything can be done.

“But it will definitely improve, we’ve got a couple coming back like Dion Pereira and others hopefully we’ll get within the next fortnight.”