Manager Jim Jefferies has forecast a bright future for Bradford City midfield player Gary Locke.

He made his prediction on the day it was revealed that the former Hearts defender suffered a broken bone in a hand during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle.

Jefferies said: "He got a lot of feeling back in his arm over the weekend, but his hand is swollen and the X-ray showed a bone was broken.

"He has got to go back to the specialist to have a plaster or padding fitted. It might settle down in a day or two.

"It is a blow for Gary. It will take time for him to settle down after moving from Scotland, but I believe if he gets a consistent run of games he will show his worth.

"I think he started the game against Newcastle as well as anyone and his injury was unfortunate. In fact, it was his best start since he joined us."

Jefferies, who made Locke captain when he was at Hearts, is keen to stress the versatility of the former Scotland under-21 player.

He said: "He favours himself in the middle of the field, but he can play on the right in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation or he can get up and down the field as a wing back. Full back is not his favoured position, but he can play there as well."

Meanwhile, Jefferies and his backroom team are busy checking on players as he assesses his signing targets for the summer.

He said: "I watched a game over the weekend and we will be watching more this week. We are checking and re-checking players and trying to get more information about them."