Bradford City trio join Eisa in missing start of season

The trio join Abo Eisa on the sidelines for the League Two kick-off on Saturday – with the winger expected to be out for a longer spell after a “significant” injury.

Mark Hughes has confirmed that none of the others will be fit in time to be considered against Doncaster or for the other early games.

“They are all probably two weeks away,” said the City boss.

“We’ve got the options, that’s what we need. I know it’s an old cliché but it’s a long season and we’re going to need everybody.”

Bantams fans are yet to get a glimpse of centre half Odusina since his arrival from Hartlepool after pre-season had begun. Illness and injury have hampered the 22-year-old and prevented him from featuring in any of the friendlies.

Hughes admitted: “Timi is way behind, a good couple of weeks.

“He’s been ill and he had a hamstring injury as well, a slight strain that took him out of the Spanish trip for the most part.

“Alex has got a strain in the calf. He’s back running but he’ll probably be another two weeks as well.

“And it’s the same with Luke. He’s still with the physios although he joined back in for the early part of the session on Friday.”

Luke Hendrie has not been able to feature in any of City's pre-season games

Liam Ridehalgh saw his first pre-season action in the second half at Chesterfield after undergoing a groin operation at the start of May. Levi Sutton also returned to the side having missed out against Sunderland.

Hughes will put the squad through one more in-house game this week. A City 11 is also playing at Eccleshill tonight (7.30), although it is expected to be made up of youngsters.

Hughes is pleased to see left back Ridehalgh back in the fold.

“He’s missed a lot obviously and taken a little bit longer to get back from his operation.

“He had it a little bit before Levi but actually Levi’s probably ahead of him.That can happen but he’s back now.

“He’s had 30 minutes and he’ll have more minutes in midweek as well.

“We’ve got another game and a number of lads need more minutes. Chappy (Harry Chapman) and Vadaine (Oliver) need to get some more game time under their belts.

“That will help. The majority will have a good week leading into a big game at the weekend and one that we are all looking forward to.”

Hughes believes City’s 3-0 loss to Chesterfield was a timely “wake-up” call as they head towards the Doncaster showdown at Valley Parade.

“It’s something we know can’t happen and we’ve got to make sure we don’t allow our performance levels to drop,” he added.

““You can afford to have one or two not quite at their level but if there are three or four, which we probably had, then it’s going to be difficult to get a positive result.

“I don’t want that inconsistency in our performances because that will damage us.”