Jake Speight will be straight up to speed when his City career kicks off for good this week.

The £25,000 striker is set to link up with Peter Taylor’s side for the Essex tour, which starts at Stambridge United tomorrow night.

Speight, freed from jail on appeal, had devised a specific training programme during his time in prison.

And Taylor expects him to slot straight in with the fitness of his team-mates.

The City boss said: “It won’t be a problem. I thought he would miss six weeks but it’s been eight days and he’s a very fit lad anyway.

“We have taken disciplinary action with him. He knows that and has accepted that 100 per cent.

“He will hopefully be coming to Essex with us. I think he’s got to do something tomorrow and will then come down after that.”

Speight’s representative Mark Croft said: “Jake looks as fit as a fiddle. He can’t wait to start delivering for Bradford City.”

Lee Morris, one of the trialist strikers pushing for a City deal, scored twice in Saturday’s 5-1 friendly win at North Ferriby.

Omar Daley, James Hanson and Gareth Evans were also on target in an encouraging display.

Taylor said: “That was a bit more like it than last Friday (at Eccleshill). There were a lot more good things than negatives and I was pleased with the fitness.

“It was a really good friendly and I think it was an easier pitch for the boys because it was a lot spongier. I’m quite pleased with the way they are going.”

* Former City midfielder Kyle Nix is today beginning a trial with Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam with a view to a permanent move from Mansfield.