ABO Eisa is happy to have big brother watching every move as he attempts to make up for so much lost time at Valley Parade.

The winger has only just hit double figures in appearances after joining City before the start of last season.

Finally back in the thick of it again, Eisa is taking inspiration from older brother Mo’s football fortunes.

The 28-year-old MK Dons striker only recently returned from his own long-term injury issue but has scored in three of his last five games, including in the FA Cup at the weekend.

The younger Eisa hopes to follow in his footsteps as he kick-starts a City career ravaged by hamstring problems.

Eisa said: "Me and my brother have a good relationship from both playing football, even when we were in non-league.

"He’s always been a step ahead and I am always kind of chasing him. He is doing very well and I always feel like I need to be on that same level.

“He’s been like a role model for me and being so close helps.

"He has literally just come back at the same time. We have a funny thing of doing the same thing at the same time and I remember when we scored at the 13th minute when we were playing at the same time and have a weird little connection there.

"We speak every day and we are texting each other. When we go home, he is always there in the house and we have meals together."

Eisa was not involved in City’s Papa Johns Trophy defeat at Salford last week but had featured in the previous four games - his longest run of action since Derek Adams brought him to West Yorkshire.

He has spoken before about the mental challenge of missing so much football but it has also taken an inevitable toll on his family.

Eisa added: "It has been tough. Obviously, mums worry all the time and my dad is more the positive one.

“When your mum sees that you are sad, then it is obviously going to make you sad as well. We are a strong family and we look towards each other, which is important.

"My religion comes first and that's a big support system for me. God knows how I feel when no-one else does. It's always important.

"The family are in London and if they cannot come to the game, they always send me messages after games and we always speak.

"My little brother (Omar) is at Aldershot and he's doing all right to be fair. He's scoring goals for the under-21s down there.

“The youngest one just loves gaming and is not really a footballer. We have tried to force him into it, but he is not really (interested).

"I always knew I would be back out there. Everything was just a delay, I thought I would be back.

“You’ve got to keep that positive mindset, otherwise it is difficult.”