Cork's Tyreik Wright a 'long shot' for Bradford's final promotion push

UNREAL EXPECTATIONS: Bradford City are reluctant to place ‘unreal expectations’ on Corkman Tyreik Wright returning for the closing stages of their pursuit of a Championship place. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

Bradford City are reluctant to place ‘unreal expectations’ on Corkman Tyreik Wright returning for the closing stages of their pursuit of a Championship place.

The Bantams will be guaranteed a League One playoff place once they equal or better Luton Town’s result in Saturday’s concluding fixture at Exeter City.

Their promotion push was aided by the presence of former Aston Villa apprentice Wright until he sustained a training ground injury at Easter.

The Lakewood Athletic product had been soaring, scoring in three of the previous four matches, up to being unavailable for the Good Friday’s game against Northampton.

City manager Graham Alexander has praised the former Ireland U21 winger's professionalism but is hesitant about risking him in a series that could prolong until the playoff final at Wembley on May 24.

“He’s getting closer but he’s still not there yet,” said Alexander of the 24-year-old.

“He’s trained with us but not for the full session in the competitive side of it. It’s just a stimulus for him being with the group of players rather than on his own.

“Tyreik’s got a history with us of coming back early from injuries and being in great shape when he does.

"There’s nothing on him; no fat and he’s a really top professional.

“He’s really fit so when he’s given the okay to return, he’s not far behind what he is in tip-top shape anyway.

“Fingers crossed, we can have him potentially available but it’s probably a long shot at this moment.”

Tyreik Wright in action for Lakewood Athletic, against Killian Coffey, Leeds. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

The manager, part of 2009 Burnley’s squad promoted to the Premier League for the first time in 33 years, noted that the nature of Wright’s sprinting style adds to the caution.

“It’s just day by day we increase his training and see how he recovers from it and whether it’s had any effects on him,” he said.

“I’m completely led by the medical department. It’s definitely not my expertise.

“But you see a lad who joins in at the start of training and then you watch him do his own personal stuff. He’s striding across the pitch, he’s checking, he’s doing ball work.

“You know it’s not that far but it’s the top end speed that he’s got to get to – and he’s got to get to it regularly.

“I know he’s not really been close to that yet, but we’ve not even tried. You have to go through stages.

“There’s improvement on the time but then there’s an unreal expectation. We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves and he breaks down.

“I couldn’t give you a potential date right now.”