Bantams boss Graham Alexander impressed with Noah Wadsworth

But Graham Alexander insists the teenager has earned his place in the squad on merit.

Wadsworth, who recently turned 19, was recalled from a loan spell at Farsley Celtic where he played 11 times.

And Alexander believes the versatile defender is knocking on the door for his first senior chance in claret and amber.

Wadsworth was on the bench against Sutton and Wycombe and would have been in the 18 at Barrow last weekend.

“I wouldn’t have brought him back if he wasn’t going to go into our matchday squad,” said Alexander.

“I think it’s important that young players continue to play and get that opportunity to learn their trade.

“But it was at a point where I was definite about it.

“He was close to a start, not just being on the bench. I was considering him for starting one of the games.

“He’s still in my thoughts to start the games.

“Any player in our matchday squad has got the potential to start and I include Noah in that.

“We’ve got good young players who are out on loan playing quite regularly. But if we think they are good enough to help us, we have to do what’s right for Bradford City first and foremost.”

Continuing the development of the likes of Wadsworth was one of the factors behind Alexander’s thinking to trim the squad numbers during the January window.

“It’s something I talked about when I first came in. With the squad being so big, it was difficult to bring those lads in even into training sessions.

“There are other young players who train with us quite regularly that are in our academy.

“I want to continue to do that to give them the chance to show what they can do and get their career started at Bradford City.

“I think there are some good players in there and if Noah has to play, I’ve got no qualms putting him in.

“Noah’s been training with us on and off since I came in. We exposed him to it really early and I liked what I saw.

“We’ve kept including him in training but it was important that he continued to play his games.

“When we had a couple of injuries and a couple of areas where we felt we needed a bit more support, I just wanted to get him back.

“I think he’s a good footballer who’s adaptable and can play two or three different positions. He can play off both feet, he’s a fit lad and he’s quick.

“He’s quite a composed lad as well. He’s quite laidback at times, a bit too laidback for me, but when he’s competing he does it right.

“I think he’s got the potential to be a good player.”

Noah Wadsworth played 11 games on loan at Farsley Celtic (Image: John McEvoy)

Alexander could see the difference in Wadsworth from his spell with Clayton Donaldson’s Celts in the National League North. The youngster has toughened up from mixing it in non-league.

The City boss added: “Before I recalled him, I watched him play two games against Scunthorpe which I knew would be really competitive and he played well.

“When we do train, the first test we look for these boys to pass is whether they can physically compete with grown men.

“Noah can certainly do it, no problem at all, and there are other young players who can potentially as well.

“If they’ve gone out there and got hairs on their chest to play men’s football, it’s another positive part of their progression.

“I think Noah’s feeling more part of it because he’s training every day with us and in the matchday squad.

“It’s not just an invite coming up and then going back. He’s with us permanently at the moment.

“It will be good to see how he progresses with that mentally and if we can take him on a level.”