Bradford City boss will take no chances on Eisa’s fitness

But watching Abo Eisa again on the pitch for the final knockings of the 4-0 loss was a real sight for sore eyes.

It was Eisa’s first aggressive look since a cameo position from the bench on the ultimate day of final season.

Barring 45 minutes in opposition to Bradford (Park Avenue) within the first pleasant on July 1, the 26-year-old has been caught on the skin wanting in as soon as once more.

Now he’s making an attempt as soon as extra to revive a Bantams profession that has been ravaged by hamstring accidents since signing in the summertime of 2021.

Tuesday was solely the winger’s sixth outing in City colors – a substitute run-out for slightly below an hour on his debut at Nottingham Forest nonetheless stays his longest spell on the sphere – and Mark Hughes is retaining his fingers crossed that he has lastly turned a nook.

“It was sensible for him,” mentioned the Bantams chief. “He’s clearly not had a good time with us since he’s come to the membership and had actual setbacks.

“He was completely flying in pre-season and we have been all wanting ahead to seeing what he may do in a Bradford shirt.

“But clearly he had a giant setback. He’s saved on working arduous and obtained again to a stage now that we’re snug sufficient with to introduce him into the group and provides him recreation time.

“Those 15 or so minutes have been actually essential for him and for us.”

Hughes will nonetheless apply the handbrake to make sure Eisa doesn’t attempt to do an excessive amount of too quickly in his eagerness to make up for a lot misplaced time.

“It’s nonetheless early days. We’re going to need to construct up his minutes and never expose him too readily.

“We can’t simply chuck him in for 90 minutes right here and there. He’s clearly nonetheless engaged on that match health.

“But that was a great begin and we’ll attempt to construct on that with him.”