MARK Hughes does not want Jamie Walker to lose his edge - despite the rash red card that nearly cost City.

Walker’s return to the starting line-up for the first time in over five months was cut short after just an hour of Saturday’s goalless draw at Wimbledon.

Already on a booking for a rash lunge in the first half, the Scot gave ref Ben Toner no choice when he went in late on home midfielder George Marsh.

The Bantams still grabbed a point but Hughes admitted that Walker’s loss of control put them under added pressure.

“He plays on the edge, that’s why we love the way he plays,” said the City chief.

“He’s a good player and it’s very difficult to take that edge away from him.

“Unfortunately, he just got his timing wrong and it was clearly another yellow card.

“He’s not a kid, he’s quite an experienced player and should have done better in that situation.

“I suppose with hindsight maybe I should have taken him off at half-time.

“But the reality is he was playing well and I thought, prior to him having a rush of blood, that he was really influencing the game at the top end of the pitch.

“That’s the shame from our point of view that we weren’t able to keep the 11 on and really go for it towards the latter stages of the game.”

Hughes threw Burnley loan striker Dara Costelloe straight in from the start after just one training session with his new team-mates.

“It was a late decision. I just felt he needed to get up to speed quickly.

“Playing two up top, I thought it was a good combination with the ability that he has off Vadaine (Oliver).

“He’s not had a lot of football of late. Once he gets sharp, he’ll be a good option for us.”

Thierry Nevers made his second appearance from the bench after City were reduced to 10 men.

Hughes was impressed that the young winger continued to take the game to Wimbledon.

“I thought he did really well when he came on. He was obviously carrying the fight towards the latter stages.

“But he was still getting into shape and back into position. That shows good discipline, so I was pleased with him as well.”

Jake Young watched Barrow’s goalless draw at leaders Leyton Orient after joining the Cumbrian club on loan until the end of the season.

The striker had not been named in a City squad since October and Hughes revealed that he had been pushing for the chance to play football elsewhere.

Hughes sanctioned the move after clinching the Costelloe deal in time for the weekend.

“We try and get people in the building before we allow guys to go out,” he said. “That just makes sense.

“We’ll see how it goes. I felt Jake needed to go out, he’d got a little bit frustrated that he wasn’t getting opportunities.

“We all felt he was better served going out and getting some game time.”