TYLER Smith is eyeing a run in City’s side after making his first start for six months.

Smith’s 83-minute appearance at Stockport followed his lengthy run-out from the bench against Colchester after Jamie Walker limped off.

It was the first time the striker had been named in a starting line-up since playing the first half for loan club Oxford at Cambridge in February.

After three sub outings to kick off the season, the forward is determined to keep hold of the shirt.

“I know I’ve got to come in and work hard every day and do my best for the team,” he said. “When chances come along in front of goal, I’ve got to put them away.

“That’s what I’ve come here to do. I don’t get too caught up with expectations and this and that.

“I’m not too really fussed where I play. Obviously out wide is different to when I’m up top but I’ll play anywhere.

“I’ll just try to perform in every game and see where that takes us.

“It’s always pleasing to be playing. I’m ready, I’m feeling sharp and feeling fit.”

The Bantams hit the road again to face Morecambe determined to go one better than the midweek draw at Edgeley Park.

Smith added: “We were disappointed not to win that. But the positive is we didn’t lose and if we can get three points tomorrow, then it’s been a good week.

“We’re confident in ourselves and we’re going to be right up there. So, we expect and want to be winning.

“We’ll all be ready. It’s going to be a different game but we’re very confident we can get three points.

“We know it’s not going to be easy. We’ve got to prepare the way we do before every game and go there confident.

“If we play the way we can and put on a performance, we’ll definitely walk away with three points.”

Smith can understand Andy Cook’s eagerness to get off the mark for the season after missing a penalty and other big chances.

“He’s disappointed but Cooky will dust himself off. I’m sure if he gets those chances at the weekend, he’ll put them away no doubt.

“That’s what happens sometimes, strikers miss chances. But you can’t lose sleep on it.

“When you get in those positions again, you need to be ready to take them - which I’m sure he will do.

“We know what we need to do this season and I’m sure if we stick together, we can achieve that goal.”

Mark Hughes is wary of the workload in the frenetic early weeks of the new season.

He said: "Tyler came through Tuesday really well because he got more minutes on Saturday than we'd initially realised.

"He had something 80 minutes, given the amount of time at the end.

"So he's had back-to-back games with good minutes. He's up to speed in terms of that."