JAKE Young remains a “valued” player for City – as Graham Alexander revealed there has been League One interest in him.

The striker was the final sub to come on in Saturday’s goalless draw at Altrincham that finished pre-season.

Having not featured at all against Sunderland last week, Young was the last of the five strikers to get on the pitch, coming on for the last 12 minutes to play alongside Vadaine Oliver and Calum Kavanagh.

But Graham Alexander has again played down any suggestions that there is any agenda with him.

READ MORE: Contrasting pre-season fortunes for returning duo

“I’ve had no conversations with Jake,” he said. “He’s come off the back of a long-term injury as well.

“We play in a certain shape and it was difficult to try and get the three strikers on.

“That’s why we changed the shape right at the end to give him the opportunity to play up front and bring Kav back one.

“It’s just five centre forwards into two positions over the course of a game is difficult sometimes.

“I see value in all the players. If I had no intention of Jake playing for us this season, he wouldn’t come on the pitch.”

City rejected three bids for Young after bringing him back from a 16-goal loan spell with Swindon in January.

Alexander confirmed there had been fresh interest over the summer but stressed the club are not actively looking to move him out.

A national report yesterday claimed Stevenage were in the hunt, although it is understood that the Bantams are yet to receive a formal offer for the striker as things stand.

“I think there have been inquiries from a couple of clubs in the division above," said the City boss.

“But it goes for all the squad at this stage of the season when it’s a month to go before the deadline.

“As I said in January, everyone in this division has a price tag. It’s the same for everyone here.

“We’re in the same scenario as we were then. Every club at this level, and to be fair all the way up to Man City and Liverpool, has price tags on players.

“That’s just how it is. We can’t just think that nothing will come in in the next month or so.

“I’ve been trying to get everybody as much game time as possible.

“But in that area especially, unless we change the shape, it’s really difficult to get into all of them.

“Jake’s had a little niggle 10 days ago which we’ve just had to see him through. But he’s ready to compete.”

Clarke Oduor is expected to be back in training todayClarke Oduor is expected to be back in training today (Image: Max Lomas)

Clarke Oduor was not involved again at the weekend as City played it safe with the tight hamstring that saw him pull out of the warm-up of the Sunderland game.

Alexander added: “He didn’t train until Friday so it was just a precaution.

“He’s had a little hamstring tightness and there was nothing to gain from putting him on the pitch after missing three or four days of training. But he’s fit and ready to join in today.”

City’s travelling fans got their first glmpse of on-loan Barnsley defender Jack Shepherd, who replaced Neill Byrne for the last third of Saturday’s stalemate.

“He’s done a couple of little practice matches in training already but only small minutes,” said Alexander. “That was the real stuff.

“I just wanted to get him on there. Byrner played 90 minutes the other day, so it was always our intention to take him off at some point and move Ciaran (Kelly) in the middle.

“We want to have as many options as possible. I talk about each individual giving us two positions if we can and we know Ciaran can do that.

“I’m sure Jack can do both as well. I thought he looked sharp.

“He’s already played two 90 minutes in pre-season, so he might be ahead of one or two of our boys on that side of it.

“He’s a game lad and he has slotted in really well in the group.”