Bantams boss delighted with Oliver's full-on approach

The big striker’s long-awaited return to action was the icing on the cake in City’s five-goal thrashing of Barnsley in midweek.

Oliver’s late cameo was planned to usher him back gently nearly five months after his knee surgery.

But there were no half measures from the target man.

Alexander said: “I spoke to him just before he went on and told him to take it easy and see himself through the 20 minutes.

“Then he’s chasing the right back down the line and trying to slide-tackle him!

Vadaine Oliver's Instagram post after Tuesday's game (Image: vad91)

“That’s not really taking it easy but he said to me afterwards that’s how he is once he crosses the white line.

“I love that full commitment. That’s what we want our team to be and you need individuals like that.”

It was Oliver’s first action since a sub appearance against Sutton on Easter Monday and the 32-year-old is understandably eager to make up for lost time.

But Alexander will monitor his comeback carefully to avoid the risk of another setback like Alex Pattison suffered when he was brought back too soon.

“We’re well aware of Vadaine’s qualities but we do have to be patient,” added the City boss. “We understand he’s been out for a significant amount of time.

“Let’s not go gung-ho just because he’s played 20 minutes at the end of a game and we think he’s up and firing.

“We have to make sure we give him the time to establish himself physically back into what’s required to play for 90-odd minutes.”

Oliver understandably felt it when he was back on the training ground but Alexander is delighted to have him in the mix at last.

He said: “It was a good opportunity to get Vadaine some game time. He felt the intensity was something he couldn’t replicate in training.

“He was a bit stiff but it gives him an idea how much work he has to put in to get back up to full speed.

“He’s an experienced striker with brilliant attributes and a great lad, well respected by everybody. He’s proven at this level.

“It’s great to have him back out on the pitch in a kit.”

Vadaine Oliver scores against Leicester under-21s last year (Image: Thomas Gadd)

It’s not just Oliver where the news on the long-term injury front is more encouraging.

Harry Chapman got another 67 minutes under his belt on Tuesday and Pattison has joined back in with full training.

Alexander will not want to tempt fate but is looking forward to the added competition.

“I’m excited about all our players. The more good players we have, the better the competition and it keeps everyone on their toes.

“When it gets to that 60-70 minute mark and you need to improve or keep it going, you’ve got good quality on the bench to bring on.

“That’s how a strong, powerful squad should work and players have got to relish that competition.

“It should give you more confidence to win games of football when you look around at your team-mates and see good players who work hard.

“You can build yourself up as an individual by seeing the support you’ve got. It is a team sport and it’s how the team comes together.”