Simon Ramsden is geared up for his new start in the new year.

After five months stuck on the sidelines, the City skipper is getting close to a return to first-team action.

And with Michael Flynn also back in training, Peter Taylor expects to have both big guns blazing again by the end of the month.

Ramsden, who underwent hip surgery in October, has not played since the second week of the season.

But he is hopeful that his days stuck in the stands are nearly over after getting the all-clear to step up the intensity level in practice.

He said: “I’m fed up of watching football. It looks an easy game sat up there but it’s not the same – I want to be back out there helping the team.

“My fitness has been good and I’ve been working very hard with the physio. Hopefully it won’t be much longer.

“I was glad to see the back of last year definitely, not just from a personal point of view but also with the club. It simply hasn’t been good enough.

“We can’t keep saying we need to start a run or before you know it, the season will be over. Something has to be done straight away.”

Lewis Hunt, another long-term absentee, has also trained this week as Taylor’s options increase ahead of a busy run of games.

But the Bantams boss admitted they are keeping a tight rein on the recovering players.

Taylor said: “We are going to be careful. We know Flynn’s doing really well and I think he’s caught Rams up. I’ve got no doubt that both of them will be available maybe mid-to-late January.”

Ramsden added: “I’m not going to take any risks but I feel fine at the minute. Everything is going well.

“It’s always frustrating when games get called off but it’s been good news for myself and the likes of Flynny. I hate missing games and I’m looking forward to playing as much as I can. There are still well over 20 games left and so much to play for. We just need to pick up, simple as that.

“It seems like forever since I played.”