Bradford City manager Graham Alexander has confirmed that the club will be without Antoni Sarcevic and Alex Pattison for the coming weeks, while Lewis Richards’ season has come to a premature end due to injury.
Sarcevic, who limped off against Salford, has sustained a hamstring strain, though there is hope he could return before the campaign concludes. Meanwhile, Pattison has suffered a completely unexpected setback, requiring an emergency appendectomy that has ruled him out for the foreseeable future.
Richards, however, will not feature again this season after suffering a fresh injury during his return against Bromley. The defender now requires two surgeries, one for his hamstring and another for his shoulder, bringing an early end to his campaign.
Pattison’s Sudden Health Scare
Pattison’s absence comes as a surprise to the Bantams after the midfielder required urgent medical attention over the weekend.
“It came out of nowhere,” admitted Alexander. “He left here on Friday feeling great, went to bed feeling great and then woke up in the night feeling pain. He’s been in hospital over the weekend and then he had his appendix out. He’s going to be out for a few weeks as well.”
Despite the setback, Alexander remains optimistic about Pattison’s return, stating that his general fitness should help him recover quickly.
Sarcevic and Richards Sidelined
Sarcevic’s hamstring injury, sustained against Salford, has been confirmed as a strain, meaning a spell on the sidelines is inevitable. However, Alexander has not ruled out a late-season return for the experienced midfielder.
“He’s in positive mood and was around the boys before the game,” Alexander revealed. “He’s still got a part to play for us this season, but it won’t be on the pitch just yet.”
Meanwhile, Richards faces a lengthy recovery period after his injury setback, with City now considering accelerating his shoulder surgery.
More Injuries but Some Positive News
Bradford are also managing the recovery of Bobby Pointon, who continues to struggle with a badly-bruised foot, making it difficult for him to run without pain.
“With the type of injury it is, if he keeps going, it’s just going to get worse,” Alexander admitted. “A small period of rest will hopefully clear it up.”
However, there is some good news for the Bantams, with Ciaran Kelly, Tyreik Wright, and Callum Johnson all returning to training today, offering a boost to Alexander’s squad.
Writer’s View
Injuries have come at a crucial point in Bradford City’s season, testing both the depth and resilience of Graham Alexander’s squad. Losing Richards for the rest of the campaign is a significant blow, while Sarcevic’s absence removes an experienced figure from the midfield. However, the unexpected setback to Pattison adds further disruption.
