Bradford City

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander has been speaking to the media before his side's League One match against Peterborough United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Here are the main talking points:

• Defender Joe Wright remains unavailable due to concussion protocols, after sustaining a head injury during City's EFL Cup win against Blackburn Rovers. Alexander says the 30-year-old is expected to resume full training on Monday.

• Forward Calum Kavanagh's recovery from a shin issue has "plateaued". Alexander says he's not set to return to training for a couple of weeks.

• Antoni Sarcevic should be fit to play on Saturday. The 33-year-old was forced off with cramp after scoring the winner in Tuesday's 2-1 victory at Stockport.

• They will take their time over the availability of new addition Nick Powell. The 31-year-old will be treated initially as a "rehab player", with Alexander noting his lack of game time due to injury over the last year.

• Alexander described defender Curtis Tilt as a "monster" in the Stockport win. He explained that Tilt's previous performances as an opposition player was a big factor in why they signed the 34-year-old in the summer. Alexander said it's very rare an individual from the opposite side stands out from the touchline, when he's usually focusing on his own team.

• On the summer transfer window, Alexander said the club have received enquiries about a couple of their players, but the individuals in question have chosen not to explore those options. It's understood forwards Tyler Smith and Adam Wilson have been told they're free to leave the club this summer. They each have a year remaining on their contracts.

• Despite their form, Alexander remains wary of Peterborough, describing Saturday's game as a challenge. Darren Ferguson's side have lost all four of their opening league games.

Listen to Alexander's full pre-match conference and more on BBC Sounds.

How will Bradford City get on in their first season in League One for six years?

In the latest episode of the BBC podcast 'Take Me Home', Jamie Raynor, Paul Hudson and Mark Bower discuss the Bantams' prospects for the season ahead, having started with two wins and a draw.

Bradford visit Stockport County on Tuesday, 19 August. Tune in to full commentary on BBC Radio Leeds.

Listen to the full episode of Take Me Home and more on BBC Sounds.

Jamie Raynor
BBC Radio Leeds commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Making just nine appearances in all competitions last season due to injury, it's understandable why this move for Nick Powell has been questioned by some of the Bradford City fanbase.

Even more so when you consider Stockport's willingness to settle his contract a year early. An attacking midfielder by trade, Powell's position in the much used 3-4-3 formation by manager Graham Alexander doesn't immediately become obvious.

However, his addition may suggest a potential switch to the forward line this season, or at the very least the option to change for Alexander.

In the early stage of this season, we've seen City shift to a more uncommon 3-4-1-2 system. The one behind the two up front formation potentially offers Powell a spot in this squad, although there is stiff competition with the likes of Antoni Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon.

It must also not be forgotten how last season's pragmatism in recruitment aided Bradford's bid for eventual promotion.

Defender Paul Huntington was acquired as a free agent on a short-term deal prior to Christmas which was eventually extended through the entirety of the season.

Corry Evans was brought in on similar terms at a time when injuries had ravaged availability. And defender Callum Johnson was offered a one-year contract on the back of an injury-hit campaign at Mansfield, but went on to contribute when called upon.

Of the three players listed, Powell's acquisition has hallmarks of the Johnson deal. With his contract understood to be until the end of the season, this is the 31-year-old's chance to revitalise his career.

Jamie Raynor
BBC Radio Leeds journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Stockport County midfielder Nick Powell is set to join fellow League One side Bradford City, BBC Radio Leeds understands.

The 31-year-old has one-year left on his contract at Edgeley Park but Stockport manager Dave Challinor confirmed last month the club are in discussions over a deal to end Powell's contract this summer.

The former Manchester United, Wigan and Crewe midfielder made just nine appearances last season in a injury-hit campaign.

If an agreement is struck between Stockport and Powell's representatives, it is understood he will sign for the Bantams next week.

Jamie Raynor
BBC Radio Leeds journalist

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander has been speaking to the press before his side's League One match against Luton Town on Saturday (15:00 BST)

Here are the main talking points:

• They remain "open minded" on Joe Wright's availability after the defender was forced off with a head injury during their Carabao Cup first round victory at Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday. A cut above his eye has led to swelling which is impacting his vision.

• A tactical switch during the second half of that win at Ewood Park saw Bradford move away from their much-used front three, with wide options, to a two striker shape with a No.10 playing just behind. Alexander says it's something they've considered for a short while and it may be an option moving forward.

• Since his arrival from Barnsley in the summer, there has been much discussion about whether forward Stephen Humphrys is better used on the left or through the middle. Alexander was quick to outline that he sees the 27-year-old as a centre forward. Upon his move to Valley Parade, Alexander said to Humphrys: "If you want to play on the left, please don't sign for us."

• Trialist Jack Hunt has left the group after spending pre-season with the club. Alexander revealed he's taken up an opportunity to train with another unnamed club, reported to be Hunt's former side Sheffield Wednesday.

• The club remain open to improving the squad this summer window. That includes using the free agent market, with Alexander getting weekly updates on the PFA's summer training camp list. Head of recruitment Stephen Gent has been to see a couple of their recent fixtures.

• Alexander reacted to speculation earlier this summer around a return to Bradford for forward Nakhi Wells, who will face the club for Luton this Saturday. "We knew we could not sign a player of that calibre within our budget," he said.

Listen to Alexander's full pre-match conference and more on BBC Sounds.

"Teams will look at City and think, 'We can beat that press and get all three points against them.'"

Jamie Raynor, Paul Hudson and former Bradford City player Mark Bower reflect on the 0-0 draw at Northampton Town and look ahead to Tuesday's Carabao Cup fixture against Championship side Blackburn Rovers (19:45 BST).

Tune in to BBC Radio Leeds for full match commentary.

Listen to the full episode of Take Me Home and more on BBC Sounds.

Jamie Raynor
Bradford City commentator for BBC Radio Leeds

Image source, Getty Images

Barrow away on New Year's Day feels like a lifetime ago. English football has a habit of moving on quickly, positive results are at a premium.

As the referee got things underway in Cumbria, little did Bradford City know that 2025 would go on to be their year. It might have taken until the final kick of their season to confirm their six-year-long wait for promotion back to League One was over – but with six minutes gone at Holker Street, hopes of achieving that feat were significantly in the balance.

I'll never forget our BBC Radio Leeds co-commentator that day, former City winger Andy Kiwomya, instantly exclaim with fear that Andy Cook had "done his ACL". You could hear the gasps from West Yorkshire.

The 34-year-old has been this club's go-to man for goals since his arrival in January 2021, at times single-handedly grinding them towards results. 85 goals later, his title of talisman is not misplaced.

To Bradford City and manager Graham Alexander's credit, they found a way to cope without their number nine through the second-half of last season, but it speaks volumes that Cook still ended the campaign as the club's leading marksman with 15 goals.

With such a significant injury came the questions from some: "Will he come back the same?"

As Cook told BBC Radio Leeds in March, that doubt feeds his motivation. The experienced forward has built a career on proving others wrong.

Which is why it's key that all concerned with Bradford City, including Cook himself, must be patient. His importance to this squad should not be understated, even if football does move quickly.

Alexander revealed this week that Cook had intermittently returned to full training, but with hurdles still to overcome.

His stringent rehab schedule has led to a day-by-day routine that has been carried through into the off-season - with plenty of hours spent in the gym at the club's Woodhouse Grove training base.

It's clear from the footage put out by the club's in-house media that Cook has been disciplined with his recovery plan, now more than eight months on.

While we all await the moment Cook steps back out on the Valley Parade turf, it must be done with the utmost care and consideration. If it means another month or two to wait, then so be it.

He still has so much more to show in the colours of Bradford City.

Bradford City defender Curtis Tilt says that a relentless pre-season schedule helped contribute towards their season-opening win against Wycombe Wanderers.

Manager Graham Alexander named seven debutants as the Bantams made their return to League One, including 34-year-old Tilt, and emerged with a 2-1 win against last season's play-off semi-finalists.

The former Wigan and Blackpool man joined City from Salford in the summer, signing a two-year deal and told BBC Radio Leeds: "For us as players, it has been quite easy, (Alexander) will stop and show you clips and we will nail it down.

"From minute one, we knew exactly what the gaffer wanted to do and it's been different from anything I've ever done with the shape. Going into the first game, there were six or seven debutants but we all knew what we wanted to do and where we had to be on the pitch, it's been relentless but enjoyable."

Bradford were 2-0 up in the first 13 minutes on Saturday and Tilt knew the "importance of getting off to a good start".

"It's important collectively and individually, personally I don't change what I do, I know what I'm good at and what my attributes are," he said.

"It's just implementing them on the pitch. Every day is a learning day for me, no matter your age, we can get better as a team and hopefully we can cause some upsets this year."

Click here to listen to the full interview via BBC Sounds.

Jamie Raynor
BBC Radio Leeds journalist

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander has been speaking to the press ahead of the side's League One match against Northampton Town on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Here are the main talking points:

• Alexander revealed forward Andy Cook is back in full training with the group, but on a "one day on, one day off" basis. They remain cautious about the 34-year-old's return, who hasn't featured since New Year's Day when he suffered a season-ending ACL injury to his left knee. The club are not putting a timescale on when he will be back available.

• Midfielders Alex Pattison (Achilles) and Clarke Oduor (concussion) are back in full training after missing Saturday's opening day win against Wycombe, along with defender Ciaran Kelly (groin).

• Defender Aden Baldwin is back from suspension following his red card at Doncaster Rovers in the penultimate game of last season. The offence was not violent conduct, so the 28-year-old has served a two-match suspension.

• After Tommy Leigh's impressive showing in central midfield against Wycombe, Alexander spoke of a frank conversation he had with the 25-year-old at the end of last season. In that conversation, Alexander and Leigh discussed where the player needed to improve and what specific position he would play moving forward. Centre midfield was the agreed position.

• Alexander praised how receptive the club's new signings have been to instruction and feels there's a growing trust within the group. So far, the club have made nine additions during the summer window.

Listen to Alexander's full pre-match press conference and more on BBC Sounds.

"I don't know how Graham Alexander has done that... he's done an incredible job."

The Take Me Home team dissect Bradford City's victory against Wycombe Wanderers in their opening League One game and what it could spell for the rest of the season.

Listen to the full episode of Take Me Home and more on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Bradford City AFC

BBC Radio Leeds are set to continue as the official broadcast partner of Bradford City.

BBC Radio Leeds Sports Editor Jonny Buchan said: "After last season's heroics we are delighted to be following the Bantams journey in League One.

"The partnership with the club is something we value greatly and we look forward to continuing the relationship as City climb up the Football League."

Match commentary, which can also be heard on BantamsTV, will be provided by BBC Radio Leeds and is available via FM and DAB platforms.

"Bradford City AFC is delighted to announce an extension to our deal with BBC Radio Leeds, seeing the local station continue as our official broadcast partner," the League One club said on its website, external.

"Commentator Jamie Raynor will be joined by a cast of former City stars to bring you live commentary of every single home and away game throughout the season."