Bradford City manager Graham Alexander is eagerly anticipating the return of three key players as Aden Baldwin, Alex Pattison, and Antoni Sarcevic progress in their recoveries.
The trio’s imminent return to full fitness offers a welcome boost to a squad that has been heavily impacted by injuries this season.
Baldwin and Pattison Back in Full Training
Aden Baldwin, who has been out of action since tearing his hamstring at the end of August, and Alex Pattison, sidelined for the last two months, have returned to full training. Antoni Sarcevic is also expected to rejoin the group imminently, marking a significant step forward for the club.
“I’m so looking forward to it because I’ve had really limited time to work with them as manager,” Alexander said. “All three of them have shown their quality in that short time. It excites you as a manager that you’ve got good players like that coming back. I’ll be rolling around in joy!”
Pattison’s injury struggles have been particularly long-lasting, with his first year at Valley Parade riddled by setbacks. Baldwin, meanwhile, has been limited to just a handful of games since joining the club, and both players are eager to make an impact as they return to action.
Managing Expectations
Despite the progress, Alexander is keen to manage the players’ return carefully, avoiding any pressure or deadlines that could risk further setbacks.
“I stopped doing that a few months ago because we lost that many players. It was just too many,” he explained. “We just want to take it steadily. We don’t want to almost bank on them being available next week.”
Both Baldwin and Pattison have suffered recurring injuries during their absences, and Alexander emphasised the need for patience to ensure they are fully fit for the remainder of the season.
Squad Depth Restored
The return of Baldwin, Pattison, and Sarcevic will provide Alexander with greater competition for places and strengthen the team as they approach the crucial stages of the season.
“It will be great to see them back out on the grass this week when we have the full days of proper training,” Alexander said. “I’m really looking forward to having difficult decisions to make again.”
Writer’s View
Bradford City’s injury woes have undoubtedly hindered their progress this season, but the return of Baldwin, Pattison, and Sarcevic offers hope for a stronger second half of the campaign. Graham Alexander’s cautious approach to their reintegration is wise, ensuring the players’ long-term fitness remains the priority. Their availability could prove crucial in reigniting City’s push for a successful finish to the season.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
