City boss Iain Dowie is backing striker Kevin Kyle to pick up where he left off at the start of the season after returning from injury for the reserves this week.

The Scottish international began the campaign in impressive form before troublesome ankle and hip problems ruled him out of action for more than month.

But, after scoring twice in a 3-0 victory over Huddersfield in the Pontin's Holidays League on Monday, Kyle gave his manager a timely reminder of his worth to the squad.

"I was very pleased with the reserves and people like Kevin Kyle epitomised what the boys were about with a fantastic work ethic and really put a shift in," said Dowie.

"I thought he did really well and when he's on the move he does that.

"When he is really mobile across the line he is a real handful and is one of those players who doesn't need to be stationary, and he did that brilliantly on Monday night when he got a got a couple of nice goals as well."

Added the City chief: "He and Leon McKenzie were the two that jumped out at me in pre-season but unfortunately he has had a little problem with his hip and ankle.

"But now he's back at it and very much in the frame."