Along with giving his thoughts on this Saturday's Yorkshire derby with Sheffield United, Bantams boss Phil Parkinson also spoke to www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk this Thursday to give supporters an update with regards the progress of both Luke Oliver and Andy Gray
Oliver, who hasn't played a competitive fixture for City since snapping his Achilles at Burton Albion last October, played 75 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Accrington Stanley at the Coral Windows Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite his involvement against Accrington - a game which saw the defender complete the most match minutes ever since his horror injury - Parkinson believes the giant centre half still has a bit to go before he can be in a position to compete for a first team jersey.
After breaking his left forearm in City's first pre-season friendly of the summer at Guiseley back in July, Gray has been busy keeping his fitness levels up in the weeks since the injury. He is still, however, waiting for the green light to step up his involvement in training.
Checks on his injured arm reveal that the striker's bone is not quite strong enough to handle the rigours of full training just yet, meaning Gray must be patient for a little longer before he can begin to press his claim for a first-team slot once again.
Parkinson said: "Andy has worked really hard. He is fit, he is running everyday and doing all of the work we ask him to do. Unfortunately the specialist is not happy with him going back into contact training just yet. We just have to make sure that we give the bone long enough to heal properly.
"We have to make sure it is strong enough so that the problem doesn't recur.
"With Luke, he obviously played the game on Tuesday but we still have to give him time just to make sure he is right.
"Nick (Allamby, Head of Sports Science and Fitness) and Matt (Barrass, Head Physio) keep speaking with him to see where he thinks he is fitness-wise. He is making improvements but they are slow ones.
"You have to expect that slightly because of the seriousness of his injury."