Gary Locke is ready to help City gain without the pain after an end-of-term hernia operation.

The Scottish midfielder waited until the end of his first full season at the club before going under the knife.

And he revealed that he had been dogged by the problem since the turn of the year.

Locke said: "I was feeling it a bit come the end of January but didn't want to miss any games. It was the type of injury that didn't really hold me back too much but the day after playing, I would be really stiff getting out of bed.

"With the situation we were in, I wanted to make myself available for as many games as I could but it was a bit difficult.

"Now I've had the operation and everything has gone fine. I've got to see the physio this weekend and then once more next week, but after that there should be no problem."

Locke added: "I can't remember a break as long as this, usually it's only four or five weeks and we're back again. But it's a chance to get a good rest and then hopefully come back flying into pre-season."

Former Bantams boss Jim Jefferies has again denied the persistent rumours he wants to take Locke to Kilmarnock.

And the 26-year-old tough tackler is more than happy to crack it at Valley Parade.

Locke said: "Next season will be a big one for us because we've been very disappointing. But that's happened now and we've got to learn from our mistakes."