“If Everything Is A Green Light”- Bradford City Receive Huge Injury Boost

Bradford City boss Graham Alexander has admitted to local media that midfielder Alex Pattison could play a part in the play-offs, providing the Bantams make it in.

The ex-Harrogate Town midfielder, who hasn’t appeared since December, has made just eight league starts for City having suffered numerous hamstring injuries this season. He will miss out on Saturday but could be available if the Yorkshire side’s season is extended.

Fellow middleman Jamie Walker will return on Saturday, however, having missed the 2-1 win over Barrow on Tuesday through suspension following his two yellow cards in the win over Walsall. The Bantams are now just two points off the top seven with one game remaining.

Alxander’s team have won five of their last six matches, with the draw against relegation-threatened Grimsby Town their only blemish on a perfect record. Before that, however, they had lost four in a row and this could yet prove crucial to their season.

Bobby Pointon’s brilliant opening goal and Tyler Smith’s 90th-minute winner ensured that Saturday’s game against Newport County will mean something, albeit results will have to be favourable for Bradford.

The Bantams will need a win against the Welsh side and defeats for Barrow and Crawley Town, who face Mansfield Town and Grimsby Town respectively.

Speaking to The Telegraph and Argus, Alexander gave an update on injuries:

“Jake Young definitely won’t be. With the best will in the world, that won’t happen.

“Alex Pattison is a different case. He travelled down to London on Tuesday for a series of tests to see exactly where he is everything.

“It was quite an intensive day and we haven’t had the results yet. They come back to us tomorrow and we’ll be guided by them.

“Alex will be a really important player for us going forward and if there’s an element of risk we feel is too great, then we won’t do it.

“But if everything is a green light and there’s nothing we can see or hear to hold him back, then why would we?”

Writer’s View

A few weeks ago the play-offs being mentioned at Bradford would have been scoffed at, but it says something about Alexander and his side’s resilience that we are now seriously talking about them being contenders.

Jamie Walker is a massive player to return for Saturday’s match and he could prove to be pivotal to their chances. Pattison has endured a torrid first campaign at Valley Parade. In his limited appearances, he has shown what an asset he can be, scoring three times in all competitions. He could be a difference maker if the Bantams sneak into the top seven.

RELATED ARTICLES

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Leave a Reply