NICKY Law is happy to take on a new role as one of City's senior statesmen.

The 29-year-old midfielder now finds himself among the old heads in Stuart McCall's squad after the shift in emphasis following the exit of several well-established team-mates since the end of last season.

Law admits he is not naturally one of the extrovert characters in the group but believes he can lend his experience to help guide some of the younger players in the dressing room.

"I'm not the loudest player – Macca (Tony McMahon) and other people are more vocal like that – but there are often different ways of showing leadership," he said.

"Maybe I can do it in my play, try and take the ball and help those younger boys.

"Of course I'll help them and do talk. A quiet word can often be just as effective as someone getting a rollicking.

"I know my role helping those younger boys and it's about giving a bit of encouragement when you feel it can make a difference.

"We've clearly signed some good, young players. You could see that in spells on Saturday and I thought Shay McCartan was very bright second half.

"Our job is to try and help the younger ones along in any way we can."

As McCall's first signing last summer, Law would have become the longest-serving player at the club had McMahon chosen not to sign a new deal last week.

"I was half hoping he wouldn't!" laughed Law. "It would have been quite something if I was the one to have been here the longest. The turnover has been amazing.

"I'm disappointed we lost a core of the lads from the starting line-up last year. I was hopeful that a couple more might have stayed. Obviously only Macca did in the end and we're pleased we've got him back.

"We've signed a lot of good, young players with plenty of potential – but as the manager will tell you, you need that experience as well, particularly at this level.

"You go to some tough places and you need those older heads like Killa (Matt Kilgallon) as well. There are six or seven of us who can hopefully use our experience to bring the younger lads through."

The Bantams are into their third full day of training in the picturesque Austrian village of Kleinwalsertal, 140 miles south of Stuttgart, and Law can see the benefits of getting the new-look squad away together for this week.

"Scotland was really good for that last year and we've probably got a similar amount of new lads with us," he said.

"It's always tough with all the training but it's a great way for getting to know everybody and their characters."

Meanwhile, Manchester City's under-21s have been drawn alongside the Bantams, Rotherham and Chesterfield to complete their Checkatrade Trophy group.