Bantams boss explains Adam Wilson's absence at Mansfield

The former Newcastle winger was pressed into action at Wrexham last week a day after signing from TNS.

Wilson got a late run-out from the bench - and successfully converted the third of City’s penalties as they won the Carabao Cup second-round tie in the shoot-out.

But he was then omitted from the 18 picked to face Mansfield at the weekend despite travelling with the squad. He was seen before the game doing fitness running on his own.

Mark Hughes explained that he feels Wilson needs bringing up to speed before he is thrown in properly - and it would have been wrong to include him at Field Mill.

“It’s a case of Adam’s fitness,” said the City boss. “He’s had an injury and missed a pre-season.

“We’re just a little bit cautious with him.

“He came on the other night and I was loathe to do it really because I felt it was too much.

“But he was on the bench and on Saturday if he’d been on the bench, I would have been tempted to bring him on again.

“That would have been the wrong thing for him because he needs more training.

“He needs to get a little bit stronger and more resolute in terms of his general fitness just because he’s missed a whole pre-season.

“He probably needs a couple of weeks just to get up to speed.”

Wilson has already impressed Hughes with his eagerness to step up to take one of the spot-kicks that earned the Bantams a home crack at Championship strugglers Middlesbrough in the next round of the cup.

“That shows what he’s about with his character and belief in his own ability.

“I was pleased he was prepared to do that and dispatched it really well. That’s a good sign that he’s got the character to deal with big moments in games.

“We’ve been watching him for quite some time. He’s a very intelligent footballer, really skilful and has got a little bit of pace as well.

“He’s an out-and-out winger. He’s got a good pedigree in terms of being at Newcastle.

“He’s been compromised with injuries in that time, which is why he’s had to find a different path.

“But he went to the League of Wales and did exceptionally well. He’s played in big, high-profile European games which he’s benefitted from in terms of experience.”

City paid the Welsh champions an undisclosed fee for a player who had come through the ranks with Newcastle before being released.

Adam Wilson signed a three-year deal with the Bantams (Image: Bradford City)

Hughes added: “We saw an opportunity and feel he’s one for the future. It’s up to him to take the chance and we feel confident that he will do.

“He does things in games that are a little bit different and more unpredictable for opposition sides to deal with. That’s always a good option to have in your armoury.

“A lot of these young players have been at top clubs since they were seven, eight or nine. All of a sudden, you’ve been there 10 years of your life and you’re told that you haven’t made the grade.

“A lot of them fall by the wayside, can’t deal with that and go out of football. That’s a huge shame.

“In fairness to Adam, he just got his head down, understood, and believed in himself first and foremost.

“If you believe you’ve got the ability, then you should persevere and that’s what he’s done. He’s coming back now.”