Team news: Bradford City Boss gives update on 30 year old brilliant star ahead Crewe
MARK Hughes will trust Jamie Walker time to make a judgement call over a possible return against Crewe.
The Scot has sat out the last two City games waiting for the swelling on a nasty ankle injury to calm down.
Having joined in some of the training session today, Hughes feels he has a chance of being involved at Valley Parade this weekend.
But he will trust Walker to be honest about his progress.
“Jamie’s more encouraging,” said the City boss this afternoon. “He joined in a bit of the session and looked okay on the eye.
“We’ll have to see tomorrow if he gets a reaction or not. But I was more encouraged by what I saw today than certainly earlier in the week.
“I didn’t think he had any chance for the weekend. He may still miss out but he’s ahead of where I thought he was going to be when we first introduced him.”
Walker came off a strong pre-season to start the campaign brightly.
But he was forced off in the second half against Colchester after a heavy tackle on his ankle and his attacking influence has been missed.
Hughes added: “We’ve got good games midweek and Saturday following. But Jamie’s of the view that he’ll give it a good go.
“All I ask is that he’s honest in terms of his ability to perform like we need him. He needs to be pressing people and tackling people.
“He’s got to be able to do that. He can’t just do parts of that because it wouldn’t be fair on him or the team.”
Alex Pattison has been suffering with an abscess on the side of his face but Hughes expects him to be fine.
“He was under the weather for a number of days after the game. He’s been on a course of anti-biotics but he trained so he should be okay.
“Gilly (Alex Gilliead) is still not available. He feels better day on day but given where the injury is it’s one of those you have to be mindful of.
“I would imagine he’s another 10 to 14 days away.”
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