Gordon Watson is on course to join up with the Bradford City squad for pre-season training after recovering from a hernia operation.

The 27-year-old has played only three games since joining the Bantams in a £525,000 deal from Southampton after suffering a fractured right leg against Huddersfield Town in February, 1997.

At one stage the talented striker feared his career was over but he was training with the first team again when he picked up a groin injury.

Assistant mnager Chris Hutchings said: "Gordon has been training three times per week with Southampton and doing a lot of work with their physio down there.

"Gordon has been joining in the five-a-side games down there. He has lost some weight as well and he will be joining up with us when we return to pre-season training.

"Gordon says he feels fully recovered."

If Watson is fully-fit at the start of the season then it will be a huge boost to City's plans ahead of the new campaign.

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