Bradford City are planning to manage Nick Powell’s return to full action very cautiously, prioritizing his long-term fitness over rushing him back into the starting lineup.
After being sidelined for six months due to injury, Powell has recently made two substitute appearances. In one of those outings, he came close to making an immediate impact by nearly scoring a late equaliser against Stevenage. His performance in the closing stages of the match highlighted his quality and attacking instincts.
Manager Graham Alexander admitted that, in an ideal situation, Powell would already be fit enough to start matches regularly. However, he emphasized that the player is not yet physically ready for that level of involvement. When Bobby Pointon had to come off early in a recent game, it became clear that Powell could not yet step in for extended minutes.
Alexander remains optimistic that Powell will eventually regain full match fitness, but stressed the importance of a gradual approach. With only a limited number of games left in the season, the club still believes it is essential to protect him from further setbacks. By using him strategically in shorter bursts, they hope to maximize his effectiveness while minimizing risk.
Powell was particularly unlucky not to score his first goal for the club, as his well-placed header was denied by an outstanding save from Filip Marschall. Alexander praised Powell’s sharp awareness in and around the penalty area, noting his ability to position himself well, create chances, and finish opportunities. His return has added valuable competition and experience to the squad, especially in attacking positions where decision-making and timing are crucial.
Meanwhile, Kayden Jackson is also progressing in his recovery and could feature more prominently in the upcoming derby against Barnsley. He may even be considered for a starting role if Pointon is unable to regain fitness in time.
Alexander explained that there is slightly less concern about Jackson’s condition since his injury was not muscle-related. However, he is still working his way back after a spell on the sidelines. Due to a congested schedule, the team has not been able to arrange additional practice matches to help rebuild his match sharpness.
Even so, the recent ability to bring both Powell and Jackson off the bench in matches represents a significant positive step for the team, strengthening their options as they push forward in the remainder of the season.
