Injured Bradford City duo Sarcevic and Baldwin keen to return

The summer recruits are slowly making progress towards a return – but not as quickly as either would want.

Both have been out since the first month of the season and the Bantams boss appreciates the pair are desperate to show their worth.

“Your teammates get to know you as a person and a character off the pitch,” said Alexander.

“But, ultimately, you’re remembered for what you are as a player.

“When you go to a new club you want to make a good impression on your teammates, supporters and the staff members.

“It’s mainly, if memory serves me right, your teammates because they are the ones you’re with in the changing room and in the trenches all the time.

“They have done as characters and people but only in a short period as players.”

The pair have been training with the medical staff this week along with Clarke Oduor. Alexander admits it is a test of patience for everyone.

“We want them back fit and healthy as quick as we can without pushing them to the point of breaking down again.

“We’re being really careful with them. I was speaking with Aden and Sarce and they are absolutely desperate to get back involved.

“They’d crawl over broken glass to get involved again and be playing football. Fingers crossed, that’s quite soon.”

Having been brought in during the last transfer window, neither made it beyond the first few weeks of the campaign.

Sarcevic felt a problem with his knee in the first home game against Salford when he fell heavily after taking a shot.

Aden Baldwin protesting with the ref during the Bromley game (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Baldwin damaged a hamstring in his fifth appearance at Grimsby. City had hoped he would be back by now but the defender suffered a further setback during his recovery.

But they are continuing to lend as much support as they can off the pitch.

Alexander said: “You want to contribute and feel valued. When you are taken away from the pitch, you feel like there’s no value to you.

“We speak to the players not involved, either on the bench, out the squad or injured and tell them that they can still contribute to what the team need and that support system.

“They’ve taken that on board, not just those two but other players as well. We want to be together as often as possible, we want to support each other and have that respect.

“It’s a limited contribution at the minute but it’s still important for us. But we value them highly as players as well so we can’t wait for when they come back.”