Mark Hughes on Abo Eisa returning to Bantams with Grimsby

Eisa returns to City for this weekend’s televised tussle with Grimsby having already netted four goals for his new club.

He has banged in several long-range crackers for the Mariners - earning a nomination for League Two player of the month and showing the form that eluded him during two injury-ravaged years in West Yorkshire.

Hughes is pleased to see Eisa back out there regularly again after missing out on so much with City because of his long-term hamstring issues.

“It was very difficult for Abo to get a run of games because injuries just hampered him, said the Bantams chief. “He was exceptionally unlucky.

“But it looks like he’s been able to keep sound for the moment and we hope that continues for him.

“He’s very well thought-of here. Everyone had a lot of time for Abo and we wish him well - but obviously not on Saturday.”

Eisa started just 10 games in two years at Valley Parade after Derek Adams signed him from Scunthorpe in 2021.

He scored twice in successive home outings last January but injuries again hit him hard and the 27-year-old was released at the end of the season.

Hughes could understand Eisa’s frustration at spending so long on the City sidelines.

“That was the thing that always held him back.

“There were a couple of occasions when you felt, ‘right, he’s got a real opportunity now’ and then he just broke down again.

“It was really unfortunate and there was nothing we could have done.

“He worked exceptionally hard to come back from all the setbacks he had. But we just ran out of time really.

“We had to make the decision to allow him to continue his career elsewhere. But he always went with our good wishes.”

The Saturday lunchtime date is only City’s third at home and they have won the previous two against Colchester and Crewe. Six of their eight games up to now have been on the road.

Mark Hughes is looking forward to being back at home (Image: Tom Pearson)

Hughes said: “It hasn’t been easy. It’s difficult going on the road and we’ve had away fixtures in the Carabao Cup, as we know, and they were tough as well.

“It’s tested us but we always look forward to home games anyway and we’ve got two good ones back-to-back which will make a change.

“There haven’t been too many years in recent times when we’ve won the first two home games.

“That’s something worth mentioning and hopefully we’ll make it three and then four.

“There’s obvious interest in what we’re doing always, so you can understand at some stage wanting to get us on TV. It doesn’t surprise me.”

But Hughes will need to make changes in midfield with no Clarke Oduor, away on international duty with Kenya, as well as the injured Alex Pattison.

“They’ve made a really good impression on everybody, obviously Patto with his goals as well.

“Ideally you would want them fit and available. But they’re not, so it’s about who’s there rather than who’s not and those stepping up and making sure we play well.

“We’ve got good options, so we’ll be okay. We’ve got the new signings bedding in and we’re looking forward to working well with them.”