Bradford City planning ways to keep Jamie Walker available

Graham Alexander views the Scot as a key figure in their plans after the club triggered a year’s extension in his current deal.

Walker finished the last campaign with three goals in his final two outings to take his tally to nine.

But his absence after being injured in a bad tackle just before Christmas coincided with a run of eight games without a win for the Bantams.

Walker has missed chunks of action since making his initial loan move from Hearts permanent in the summer of 2022.

He has played 63 games in that time but Alexander wants to devise a way that can keep him on the pitch more often – without sacrificing that combative edge to his game.

“I still believe there are things you can do,” said the City boss.

“No player wants to get injured, I guarantee that.

“Sometimes it’s muscle injuries that you can do something about. Sometimes it’s contact injuries.

“But I still think you can develop your body and develop a robustness and resilience, especially if you’re such a committed player like Jamie.

“He doesn’t hold back, in and out of possession. He doesn’t smell fear and just puts his body on the line.

“But if you’re going to be that type of player, you’ve got to do everything you can to protect your body.

“We’ve spoken to Jamie about trying to help on that side. We certainly don’t want to change him on the pitch.”

Walker’s aggressive approach is a major weapon in a team that have struggled to turn chances into goals. City finished 2023/2024 as the seventh-lowest scorers in League Two.

Alexander has no intention in trying to water down one of their biggest attacking assets by playing safe.

“We want to keep that edge and keep him exactly how he is as a footballer.

“We just want to point out to Jamie that this is going to happen to you at times so how can we protect you?

“How can we help add things to your body, your programme, your everyday life to withstand some of these hits you’re going to take?

“We don’t want to change him as a player. We’re delighted with him.

“There are always elements with every single player that we can help to improve. It’s identifying them and that’s where we see Jamie.

Jamie Walker was City's third highest scorer last season (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“I don’t think I’m going to help him be a better attacking player. He’s got all those attributes.

“But I can do something about trying to help him protect his body for many years.

“That’s an ongoing process with Jamie but he’s fully committed to it, which is great news.”

Only Andy Cook and Tyler Smith scored more last term than Walker, who also provided five assists.

His extended absence mid-season, and the inevitable time afterwards it took him to get back to his sharpest, were more factors to add to the “ifs and buts” argument after City finished a point adrift of the play-offs.

Alexander added: “I want Jamie available for 46 games and I know he does. He absolutely loves playing football.

“As you get older, and I had to change my regime when I was 27-28, you have to add things because your body changes.

“You have to move with it and keep your mind open as to what you can change to help you do better.

“Ultimately, everything I ever did as a player was to get me on that pitch.

“There was nothing worse for me, and I know Jamie’s the same animal, than not being out there.

“Let’s sacrifice anything it takes to make sure he’s on that pitch every week.”