Graham Alexander on the missing players in Bantams friendly

Callum Johnson and Aden Baldwin were among the players not involved in Saturday’s opening friendly at Chorley.

Graham Alexander revealed the defensive duo have been held back as a precaution – as well as last season’s player of the year Brad Halliday.

Calum Kavanagh also sat out the pre-season defeat in Lancashire after reporting some discomfort during the week.

Alexander insists there are no concerns with the early niggles – but has been frustrated to see a couple of his summer recruits waiting to get out there.

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He said: “Brad, Callum and Aden haven’t trained with us at all yet. But we should have two of them in training next week.

“It’s one of those where we could gamble with them in the first week and lose them for four or five weeks. That’s not a good position to be.

“We’re just playing it safe with those guys.

“There are two new players in there that didn’t get to do much of the off-season programme when they signed.

“We’ll be stronger when they come back but they are probably a week away from being involved in any type of game.

“There’s a little bit of catch-up to do but we’ve got five weeks to do that.

“I’m frustrated because two of them are new players and we want to integrate them straight away with the rest of the squad.

“Brad obviously knows everyone and knows how we work, so that won’t be a problem.

“We’re just being really careful and making sure we have them for the season.”

Kavanagh is also likely to be back for the resumption of the double sessions at Apperley Bridge.

The striker was away with Republic of Ireland under-21s last month in Croatia and played half an hour in their 3-2 friendly win over the hosts in Zagreb.

“Kav did start the training week but he felt something on Wednesday,” added Alexander.

Brad Halliday on his arrival for pre-season testing (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“He’s been away with the international (squad) so he didn’t do the programme.

“We decided to leave it with him until today and we’ll take it from there.

“We know where he is physically because he’s obviously our player. He’s just had a broken summer being away with the international group.

“That’s more of a precaution than anything else. I expect him to be back training with us.”

Tyreik Wright came through both training sessions on Friday after sealing his permanent move from Plymouth but was not risked for any action at Victory Park.

Alexander was happy to report a clean bill of health from their outing against the National League North side.

“For me, it’s getting the players through the physical side of it for the first couple of weeks.

“They’ve all come through with flying colours and I’m so pleased.”