The First Division specialist has vowed to use his expertise to shift Bradford City up the table.

Flying Dutchman Gus Uhlenbeek celebrated his 32nd birthday by agreeing a one-year deal with the Bantams.

And he promised to play an influential part in helping City avoid the season-long relegation struggle the pundits have predicted.

Uhlenbeek said: "I've been playing in this country for about seven years and all my football in that time has been in the First Division. I'd like to think I know this level very well.

"That was why it was important for me to stay in the First Division after leaving Sheffield United. Bradford have made me feel very welcome and everything about the place has been superb - the boys, the manager and the people around the club.

"Looking around here you wouldn't know all the difficulties the club have had."

Wing-back Uhlenbeek has played the first three games on a non-contract basis and boss Nicky Law feared he would lose him.

Uhlenbeek turned down the opening offer put on the table before finally getting it sorted yesterday.

Law said: "It's a big relief for us because Gus has done well and we wanted to keep him. We're obviously not in a great financial position but we've got him to the end of the season and we'll take it from there."

Uhlenbeek added: "Bradford don't have the biggest of squads and with Jamie Lawrence already out, it is not easy. But if we can stick together and avoid too many more injuries then I think we can really take it on from here.

"We shouldn't have lost to Stoke but there is another chance coming up on Saturday against Grimsby. I'm sure we can get up and going again."

Uhlenbeek came through the famed Ajax academy in Amsterdam before leaving Holland to join Ipswich in a £100,000 deal in 1995. He played 94 league games at Portman Road and then went on to Fulham and Sheffield United.

Meanwhile, Gray has been given the all-clear to carry on despite breaking his left hand on Saturday.

The winger was told by a specialist yesterday he would not need an operation.