Fulham striker Olly Sanderson eyes first Bradford City start

The loan recruit was due to feature in a closed-doors practice match yesterday as he gets to grips with his new club.

Sanderson made a bright debut from the bench in the Salford game when he came on for Calum Kavanagh – and is threatening his place for the upcoming Valley Parade clash with Bromley.

Graham Alexander was pleased with what he saw from the 20-year-old and is excited by his prospects from the season with the Bantams.

“You could see how he picked up the movement of other players and linked the play,” said the City boss. “He was secure in his possession and looked quite sharp.

“We’d had him included for last Tuesday (at Grimsby in the Carabao Cup) but he’d only had one really small training session with us.

“I didn’t think it was fair to throw him in at the deep end without doing all the tactical stuff in and out of possession.

“But he’d been with us for the full week by the Salford game and he grasped that straight away.

“He still hasn’t done a full pre-season as in with a full group of players. But already in training he’s shown his mobility and finishing quality.

“I thought it was a really solid debut from him and there’s a lot more to come. The early signs are good.”

With another full week of work at Apperley Bridge under his belt, Sanderson should be raring to go against the EFL new boys if he gets the nod.

Alexander added: “It gives him more time to understand all those things that we look for.

“He will get to know the boys better and the boys will know how to play with him. Each player has their own unique skill set.

Calum Kavanagh's starting spot up front could be under threat (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“By the time he makes his potential full debut he should be well ingrained into what’s expected from him and his team-mates.

“We’re excited about his potential and really glad we could get him on board.”

Sanderson actually played against Bromley last season while on loan in the National League with Oxford City.

He came on as a second-half sub in a 3-1 defeat at Hayes Lane in October.

Meanwhile, Adam Wilson’s return to former club TNS yesterday on a season-long loan was the first of the City exits that could be on the cards in the final days of the summer transfer window.

Alex Gilliead, Sam Stubbs and Kevin McDonald do not feature in Alexander’s plans and remain possible departures before the deadline a week on Friday.

Crawley are still keen on Jake Young, who was also not in the squad to face Salford, and he has been monitored by other League One clubs.

But Alexander said: “There’s been nothing to suggest anything has moved forward. We are where we were.”