STEVE Davies is ready to lift the Blackpool ban on his family and allow them to watch him on Saturday.

The in-form City striker spent two years with the Tangerines – but stopped his wife and two children from attending home games towards the end because of the hostile atmosphere.

Ahead of his return to his former club, Davies reckons the time is right for them to attend Bloomfield Road again.

"I'd like to think they'll go," he said. "I'm going there with a different club so there's nothing to be wary of other than we're trying to do a job and will hopefully get the three points."

This weekend will mark a year since Davies made his final Blackpool appearance before joining Sheffield United on loan for the remainder of last season.

But he can understand the on-going beef the crowd have with the club's owners.

In an interview earlier in the season he said: "With everything going on, the supporters probably have every right to moan.

"That's why a lot of lads who have left there haven't got a bad word to say about them."

But he is still expecting flak on his first game back – and is grateful that City are taking such a large following to take the heat off.

"Thankfully there is going to be over 3,000 people from Bradford there because I'll probably be getting a lot of stick.

"Hopefully they can drown it out and we can have another good Saturday afternoon."

Phil Parkinson will step up James Hanson's involvement in training after making sure he avoided physical contact earlier in the week following his head injury.

Davies replaced him at half-time against Rochdale and went on to net his third goal in four substitute appearances.

He added: "In recent times, if Hans had come off the team would have struggled. He's a big presence for us.

"But we've got plenty of players that can perform to a capable level to be in the top six in this division.

"It's a lot of competition (up front) but I've been in squads before when there have been five very good players at higher levels as well.

"Personally I like that because if you don't perform you're not in the team. To get the best out of me, I need competition.

"Blackpool is another game I want to be playing in. But the gaffer will pick the team he thinks is best to put in a performance.

"Hopefully I've given him something to think about and my name will be on the team sheet."

City sit four points off the play-offs among the clutch of chasing clubs in ninth, but Davies thinks it is far too soon to be concerned about what's happening around them.

He said: "The last five games is when you start looking to see what other teams have done. As it stands now, it's too early.

"All you can do is go out there and keep performing. If we can do that to our best ability, or as near as, then I'm sure we will be there or thereabouts."