Rumours of Louie Swain’s departure from Horsfall Stadium have proved to be wide of the mark as Bradford Park Avenue manager John Deacey has included him in today’s squad to face Oxford City.

The Bradford boss has been making changes to the playing squad – with Lee Elam and Danny Forrest heading through the exit door – but Swain, who arrived on a one-month loan deal from neighbours City, is not one of them.

The young striker came from the Bantams with a glowing endorsement but he picked up an injury in his first appearance.

Deacey said: “He is over his injury and I haven’t sent him back to his club so he will be with us again. I’m looking forward to seeing some more of him.”

Swain lasted 66 minutes on his debut against North Ferriby, hitting the post in the 4-0 defeat. But he was struggling with a pelvic injury and could not train that week, which ruled him out of Deacey’s Bank Holiday plans.

Deacey said: “I did let two players go on Thursday though, Lee Elam and Danny Forrest. We need to get the balance of the squad right so I released Luke Dean the week before because we can’t keep them all.”

The numbers will be swelled by the return of two of the five players that Avenue have been missing since the season began.

Club captain Nathan Hotte returns after a four-game suspension and Nicky Boshell has recovered after missing the two games over the holiday weekend through injury.

“It is a massive boost to us having Nathan back,” said Deacey, whose side has yet to win after two defeats and two draws.

“I don’t think Alex Davidson will be quite ready, Jason Price is struggling and Adam Quinn is still injured.

“It has been a testing start to the season but Jordan (Deacey, the manager’s son who suffered a double fracture of the arm in a pre-season friendly) is training with his pot on and he could be back in another week.

“We have really missed Nathan and Jordan in the centre of midfield. They are our playmakers and were looking really good in the friendlies.”