The return of Nahki Wells as a second-half substitute against Wolves on Saturday was a timely boost for Bradford City despite the 2-1 home defeat, and now with a full week’s training ahead of him, the Bermudian could be pushing for a starting role at Crewe on Saturday.

Bradford’s fortunes have changed in the month since Wells has been sidelined, the team winning just once in their last five matches. But manager Phil Parkinson says the players’ morale has not been dented by the team’s recent stutter.

Saturday’s loss to Wolves meant they have picked up only one point from the last 12 available.

Parkinson was heartened by the display against second-placed Wolves, which came on the heels of a gutsy 2-2 draw at Preston.

The manager hopes the return of Wells, the club’s top scorer with nine goals, will lift the team.

“We’re just pleased to have Nahki back and his ankle is absolutely fine,” the manager told the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.

“We had to make sure we gave him enough time to get it right.

“We weren’t really tempted to bring him back any earlier. It was only last Monday that he trained properly with the team and he still had a limp. But he got better as the week went on and on the Friday we felt he was running a little freer. So we decided to put him on the bench.

“I thought he looked sharp when he came on — and will get sharper still with another week’s training under his belt. That’s what he needs. He is a good player for us and will be a welcome addition again.”

With the Bantams still occupying a play-off spot, Parkinson insists the high spirits within the camp have not been affected.

“The players know they’ve gone toe-to-toe with two Championship-standard teams in the space of days and done themselves enormous credit,” said Parkinson. “Confidence levels are high, without a shadow of a doubt.

“We are growing as a team with each game, despite the results not going as well of late. The great thing from our point of view is that we are still in the top six. That’s testament to the way we have done and physically we have shown in the last week that we can get through three games in eight days and stand up with teams at this level.

“I felt Preston was as good as we’ve played and we probably couldn’t have done much better in the second half against Wolves. Tuesday took a lot out of us and much as we are really disappointed to lose on Saturday, the way we kept going when we had to chase the game after going 2-1 down really pleased me.”

Added the manager: “Now it’s about trying to turn those performances into good results. I’m a bit frustrated we got nothing against Wolves but keep playing like that and that level of performance will turn into three points.

“It’s a very, very competitive league this year and overall we’ve got to be pleased.”

Bradford are away to third-from-bottom Crewe on Saturday before a home match against mid-table Coventry City on November 17. The FA Cup first round draw made yesterday sees Bradford away to Rotherham United on November 9.