Bantams boss Graham Alexander on Vadaine Oliver's chances

The big striker looked to be heading out the Valley Parade exit door after spending the second half of last term on loan at Stevenage.

But with no summer takers, Oliver has forced his way back into the first-team picture.

And Graham Alexander is convinced he has a role to play in their League Two campaign.

The City boss said: “I can’t tell the future but he’s doing everything he can to be part of this team.

“I think he’s different to what we’ve got in the rest of the squad.

“He’s very experienced. We want to put a bit on him about leadership and leading other players.

Vadaine Oliver's work rate in pre-season pleased Graham Alexander (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“We spoke to him about a week or so ago about that. We think he can be a really valuable player for us.”

Oliver came off the bench at MK Dons on opening day and started against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup – only to be forced off with concussion.

That meant another absence for a player who has already been through injury setbacks at the club.

His first season finished early for an operation on a long-term knee problem.

He then suffered a groin injury in the first week of the 2023 pre-season, requiring further surgery that kept him out until December.

Oliver joined Stevenage the following month and made 14 appearances, half of them starts, in League One without scoring.

But Alexander has been impressed with his attitude since coming back in the summer.

Oliver returned from his concussion protocol to make a late sub outing against Carlisle and is set for another bench spot at Walsall this afternoon.

Alexander added: “Whatever’s happened in the past, he needs to try and put it in the bin.

“Take every week as it is and not have any pre-conceived ideas about before. Just go, ‘right, I want to be part of this team’.

“He’s worked exceptionally hard in the off-season and pre-season as well. He didn’t miss a day.

Vadaine Oliver against Derby last season before his loan move (Image: PA)

“We managed a couple of bits of days for him but he never came to us and asked for that. We just felt it was appropriate for him.

“The concussion thing was just unfortunate with how he fell and nothing to do with anything previous. It was just him competing.

“We were really happy with his progress over pre-season and going into the season. He has shown that commitment all the way through.

“The opportunity is there for all the players. I can’t stress that enough.

“I go off performance and how they train and behave.

“They do a lot of things right and they give themselves the best chance. It’s an opportunity for everybody.”