Mark Bower gave his thanks to his old club Bradford City this week and wished Louie Swain well as the young striker’s loan term at Nethermoor ended.

The Bantams’ youngster had spent the first half of the season on loan, initially at Bradford Park Avenue for a month and then with Guiseley.

He returned to Valley Parade after last Saturday’s home game against Gainsborough Trinity was washed out.

Bower said: “Louie had to go back to Bradford once his loan was up and he would have liked to have got a bit more time on the pitch in his last few weeks with us but we were playing so well we couldn’t change the forwards.

“It was difficult to get Louie involved but I hope he goes on to have a great career in the game. He has got all of the attributes to make it.

"He has a lot of power, a lot of pace and he has no fear, he scored a vital goal for us in a big game. It turned out to be the winner in the 2-1 win over Barrow way back when our run was just beginning.

“We are very grateful to Bradford for allowing Louie to stay with us for the time he did and I’m sure everyone will benefit from the experience he has gained.”

Swain thanked the Lions’ staff, players and fans via a post on his twitter account.

The Guiseley boss added that had Swain been a defender he would have got much more game time.

With Adam Lockwood, Danny Hall and Danny Ellis all injured, Ellis long term, the club have been struggling for centre backs.

Holding midfielder Jake Lawlor and full back Ben Parker have been used as emergency centre backs. Despite the problems in the centre of defence, Bower says he was not tempted to pick himself.

Still registered as player-manager, Bower feels he has enough on his plate with his managerial duties.

“We have got that many defenders struggling at the moment Louie would have been a regular starter if he had been a centre back.

“It hasn’t been bad enough for me to play so far - I think there would have to be a disaster for me to turn out,” he added with a grin.

“We have got an assistant player-manager in Danny Boshell so it wouldn’t be the best if we were both involved in the team.

For the foreseeable future, I will be concentrating on looking after the side rather than playing.

“I still enjoy training and I will join in given every chance. But lately, with all the games, it’s been back-to-back matches and not much training.

"It’s been a long run of games and the lads have been enjoying that. They look forward to getting out and playing. When you’re on a good run, the games can’t come fast enough.”