JAKE Young’s season could be over after undergoing a hamstring operation.
The striker has missed the last two games since suffering an injury against MK Dons.
Young agreed to under the knife to get it sorted and City admit it is doubtful if he will be back again this campaign.
“Jake is going to miss a big chunk of the season,” admitted Graham Alexander. “We’re hoping he sees a little bit at the end but it looks like a long shot.
“He’s had to have a small operation on his hamstring. It’s a really disappointing blow because obviously we were looking forward to Jake integrating himself into the team.
“He picked up an injury when he came on in the MK game. We had a scan and a further consultation and it was a similar return to play time whether he had surgery or not.
“The percentages of reinjuring it was a lot less if you had the operation so he decided to go ahead with that and give himself the best chance of it not occurring again.”
City recalled Young from his 16-goal loan spell at Swindon and rejected three bids for him during the window, including two from League One.
He has made two starts and three sub appearances since returning to Valley Parade.
Alexander added: “It’s disappointing for everybody, without a doubt.
“There’s always a buffer period, a best case and worst-case scenario for a return.
“There are a lot of different aspects which determine how quick players come back. Most of it is down to the actual player and their body responding to surgery.
“The best part of the window we’ve been given brings him back before the end of the season. Worst case takes him past the last game.
“It’s up in the air at the moment. But we live in hope that we see him in a Bradford kit again before the end of the season.”
Matty Platt will also miss the Notts County game this weekend as he recovers from the problem that forced him off against Sutton.
The centre half had helped City keep five consecutive clean sheets since winning his place back.
Alexander confirmed: “He’s had a little twinge in his hamstring.
“It’s disappointing because we thought we’d got away with it for a little bit but, unfortunately, he’s going to be missing for a couple of games. Fingers crossed we get him back quickly.
“We talk to the players a lot about how they have to work to stay in peak physical condition and give themselves the best opportunity to keep the shirt.
“Platty’s disappointed because he was in great form and doing so well.
“But every time this happens it’s an opportunity for someone else to step in.
“We’ve had different personnel over the last few games. It hasn’t been the exact same team and still we’ve been in good form.
“We try to have clarity with the whole squad that they know exactly how the team need to perform and the requirements for each position and unit.
“When we do have to make changes, we hope the players are really clear in their thoughts about what’s expected of them. Hopefully that will continue.”
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