CALUM Kavanagh and Brad Halliday played their first minutes of pre-season for City on Wednesday afternoon in Austria, but neither player made it past the first half.

Kavanagh, who proved a real attacking threat for the Bantams in the second half of last season, started the game and came close to equalising SV Ried II’s early goal, but he came off after just 31 minutes for Andy Cook.

Halliday, who only missed two league games in 2023/24, and was deservedly named Player of the Season, lasted a little longer, but he was replaced at the break by Alex Pattison.

Alex Pattison gets into a second-half challenge after coming on for Brad Halliday at the break.Alex Pattison gets into a second-half challenge after coming on for Brad Halliday at the break. (Image: Thomas Gadd.)

The particularly early substitution of Kavanagh caused some alarm among Bantams supporters, but boss Graham Alexander has eased any fears over their fitness.

Speaking to the club’s media team after Wednesday’s 2-1 win for City, he said: “We grew into the game and made substitutions, including ones we had planned, like Calum Kavanagh and Brad Halliday.

“We are really pleased we have got through the full week with everyone available to train when we get back to England.

“Technically, our opponents were good and sharp, and their first league game is next week, so it was a good challenge for us.”