Bradford City’s new signing, Aden Baldwin, picked up an injury in the Bantams’ latest fixture. The side now await the results of the 27-year-old’s scan.
In a 2-1 victory over Grimsby Town at the weekend, Baldwin suffered a suspected hamstring injury in the ninth minute. Following his arrival from Notts County this summer, the midfielder has played all four league games so far for Bradford.
As the League Two outfit will hope to find out the severity of the issue this morning, Graham Alexander has shared the current state of play:
“He’s probably going to be out for a couple of weeks at least, according to Matt (Abbott – the club physio).”
The centre-back featured 79 times for County between July 2022 and June 2024, scoring three goals in the process. Baldwin has played for MK Dons, Eastleigh, Forest Green Rovers, Bath City, Weston Super Mare and Cheltenham Town. However, despite signing for Bristol City in January 2016, the defender never professionally featured for the Robins.
With an unfortunate list of players already missing in action, the 27-year-old will join Antoni Sarcevic and Callum Johnson in the medical room. In regards to the upcoming clash tonight, with Newcastle United’s under-21s, Calum Kavanagh is another likely absence.
Last season, Bradford reached the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy, and will be looking to go one step further this year. A tough group with the Toon’s academy side, Rotherham United, and Mansfield Town will be a difficult challenge.
When quizzed about the West Yorkshire team’s aim in the competition, and a reflection on last campaign, this is what Alexander answered:
“I look back on that run fondly because we changed the team every time. We used the squad and they still picked up great results.
“The Derby one, especially for me, was an outstanding result. They were serious about winning the competition, never mind that tie, and they are a Championship club now.
“That was a brilliant performance from us and what I loved is that it was players coming straight in from not playing on the previous Saturday. A couple stayed in the side after that and I think that’s the best thing for it.
On the heartbreak of losing out in the penultimate round of the competition, the former Salford City boss reminisced:
“It’s still a stinger because we were the better team and should have got to the final, which is an amazing occasion for everybody connected with the football club. But ultimately, we got beaten and had to take it on the chin. Whatever’s gone on last season, we have to leave it behind.
“But we do have to take confidence that we made those changes, we prepared for each game exactly as we do for the league – and we have done for tomorrow.
“The players understand we approach games all the same. We want to win each one and nothing changes from that.”
Writer’s View
This is a big blow for the Bantams, especially with Baldwin slotting into the Bradford defence effortlessly since his summer move. A somewhat excellent start to the season could now been hampered by a selection of fresh injuries, but they will likely be able to rotate very well. This was proven correct last year in the EFL Trophy.
In regards to the aforementioned domestic cup, a tough group could see Bradford fail to repeat the same success that they endured in last season’s competition. However, they have done it before. If the West Yorkshire outfit can win tonight or cause an upset against either League One team, Alexander’s side may find themselves progressing to the knockout stages.
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