Andrew Davies is using last season as the inspiration for his latest injury comeback.

City’s influential centre half is on schedule to be up and running again for the turn of the year and is targeting a return to first-team combat by the end of next month.

Davies has missed the last 11 games since undergoing knee surgery but he is confident of getting quickly back up to pace – and points to his previous recovery as proof.

Davies said: “I’m ten weeks down the line now, so two more and I will start running again. I was running after 12 weeks last time and playing within another three. Fingers crossed, the progress will be that quick again.

“I want to do exactly the same as last year – and hopefully things will pan out the same.”

City have won only once and recorded only one clean sheet since Davies disappeared from the heart of the defence after they beat Walsall 2-0 on October 5. It has been a frustrating spell for both the player and the club.

But after spending the first few weeks on crutches, he can see light at the end of the tunnel as his recovery programme gathers pace.

“I’m working hard in the gym on the bike, doing lots of leg weights and plenty of swimming. I’m working a lot with our physio Matt Barrass, who has been fantastic.

“With any injury, you get good days and bad ones. There are times when your knee feels sore but you’ve just got to put the work in regardless to get it stronger.

“Once it gets to 12 weeks I can get outside and start running again. That will make it feel a lot closer.”

If all goes to plan, there will be at least 17 games left in City’s League One campaign when Davies presents himself for reselection.

He timed his run last year to come back for the late surge which took the Bantams into the play-offs and eventual promotion at Wembley.

Davies added: “There will be lots to play for. If we can keep the team still there or thereabouts around the play-offs, then hopefully I can come back in and help with a little bit of a push to get us where we want to be.

“That’s how it worked out last season and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same again. That was always my ambition from the start and it hasn’t changed.

“We’ve shown before that we will never give up until the last minute of the last game. That’s the strength of this team.”