Graham Alexander has confirmed that Bradford City midfielder Jamie Walker is edging closer to a return to full training.
The Bantams’ number 10 went down injured in their 3-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers on December 22nd and has not made an appearance since. Joining from Hearts in 2022, the Scot has played 71 times for the West Yorkshire club, scoring 15 goals.
Walker started every game he played in League Two this season, featuring 19 times before his 70th-minute substitution at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Speaking to the press ahead of their fixture against Notts County, Bradford boss Graham Alexander gave an update on the 30-year-old’s recovery. He said [Quotes via Telegraph and Argus]: “He’s still progressing. We want him back but we want him back in the right condition, in the best condition so he doesn’t have a recurrence of that.
“We certainly don’t want to push players at this stage where we might lose them again. If we lost him again, that would be his season done.”
City have struggled with their attacking midfield options this season, with Alex Pattison also succumbing to a long-term injury which has seen him out of action since December. The 26-year-old, who joined from Harrogate Town in the summer, was Walker’s replacement against Doncaster.
Clarke Odour has become City’s current option in the role, with Harry Chapman and January signing Callum Kavanagh being their covering options.
Alexander did not give an exact date on Walker’s return to training, adding: “He’s out on the grass every day. He’s still not joining in with us yet but I think that’s getting close.
“That will speed up his rehab and his progress. He’s certainly progressed in the last seven to 10 days. But it’s still maybe a couple of weeks before he’s back into full training with us.
“He will be a great addition to the squad as soon as that happens. We know that and I think the other players are looking forward to playing with him again.”
Bradford welcome Notts County to Valley Parade this weekend, with The Magpies losing four of their last five. It will be City’s first match since their EFL Trophy loss to Wycombe Wanderers two weeks ago.
The home team will also be without Matty Platt and Jake Young this weekend, with the striker recently undergoing an operation to treat his hamstring injury.
After their Barrow match was cancelled an hour before kick-off last weekend, The Bantams sit in 16th place, 5 points off the play-off places and with 13 matches of their season remaining.
Writer’s View
Following a lengthy sideline spell, Jamie Walker seems to be nearly ready to return to the Bradford City squad in the not-too-distant future. Graham Alexander’s side seemed to really struggle without the Scot in the team, going without a win in eight matches following his injury at Doncaster Rovers.
Bradford are still firmly in the playoff picture and have a game in hand on many clubs above them. They will need all the players they have in the final fixtures to get themselves as close to that elusive top-seven finish and get redemption for their play-off heartbreak to Carlisle United last season.
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