Chapman close to training return for Bantams after injury

The winger has not been involved since undergoing a hamstring operation at the end of April - forcing him to miss the play-offs.

But he is making good progress and Mark Hughes believes it will not be too much longer before the 25-year-old is in contention again.

Hughes said: “Harry is out on the pitch doing running now. I think he’s a maximum of three weeks away from joining in with the group and getting in some decent work with them.

“That’s the first stage to really getting him back playing and being available.

“He’s progressing well, touch wood, with no setbacks. He’s on track to be back when we thought he would.”

Chapman’s absence was felt after he limped off in City’s defeat at Swindon towards the end of the last league campaign - at a time when he was hitting form.

But with the schedule settling down over the next month after the standard frantic start to the season, Hughes is banking on Chapman not missing too many more games.

“Initially when you start the season it’s Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday,” added the City boss. “Then it calms down in September with no midweek games.

Harry Chapman hobbles off injured against Swindon (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“It starts to crank up again in October with Tuesday games and Football League Trophy kicking in and the like.

“Hopefully Harry will be back around that time. In terms of games missed this season, that will allow him not to miss too many.”

City kick off the Trophy group stage with a trip to Grimsby on Tuesday, October 10 - and Hughes may earmark that as an opportunity to give Chapman some minutes.

Chapman is also still waiting for the outcome after he was charged with an alleged historic breach of FA betting rules.

There has been no indication of when a decision will be made about the incident, which was said to have taken place in 2017 when he was playing for Blackburn.