EMMANUEL Osadebe has kept spirits high among City’s walking wounded as he waits to get his season up and running.

The midfielder has been out of action since being stretchered off with a double leg fracture in the opening moments of his debut against Doncaster in July.

It has been a hugely-frustrating period for Osadebe, who Mark Hughes signed from Walsall in the summer.

But he is not showing it during the months of rehab work to get back into contention in the new year.

Jamie Walker, who recently returned from his own injury lay-off, praised Osadebe’s constant cheeriness around the club.

He said: “There’s not many better and more upbeat characters to be in the physio room with than Manny.

“It’s a little bit tougher if you’re in there on your own, so he really helped.

“Manny kept our spirits high because he’s full of life and he’s going to be another big player when he gets back fit.

“He’s got a long way to go and he’s not even on the grass yet.

“It’s a different position for me, it’s coming up to four months and I’m back on the pitch. He’s got a bit to go yet but I’m sure he’ll get there in the end.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jamie Walker has not played in the league since the first gameJamie Walker has not played in the league since the first game (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Walker admitted the toughest time of not being involved on the pitch was when it came to kick-off.

“Once I got over my injury and was doing all my rehab, it was Saturday that was the hardest day of the week.

“Going training in the morning, you come back home and get ready to go and you’re watching the game. It’s not the same.

“That was mentally tough but the medical staff really helped me along the way and kept my spirits high.”

While Osadebe continues to work on his recovery, Walker is targeting a place in the squad for Saturday’s crunch clash at leaders Leyton Orient. It will be his first league game since the opening day.

He added: “It’s all systems go. We’re out of the cup competitions so the league is all that matters.

“Maybe the little break has come at the right time for us on the back of two defeats.

“Hopefully we can regroup and there’s no better place to start another winning run than by getting three points at Leyton Orient.

“The away form has been fantastic and we’re in a great position.

“If we can go six or seven games unbeaten then see where that takes us. I know we’re fifth but the aim is to get automatic promotion.

“The fans have got big expectations and rightly so. They travel home and away and support us in big numbers.”