BRADFORD City manager Graham Alexander insists that the club do not see the need to freshen up their playing squad for the sake of it in the January transfer window - with improving those already on deck being the overriding concern.

Alexander has got plenty out of his squad in the opening half of the campaign and that remains his focus in the new year, while naturally not ruling out incoming business if the right player becomes available and the package is acceptable to the club.

The City boss, whose high-flying side host Reading on Saturday, said: "We can talk about freshening it up, but the team and the squad are in a really good place because they’ve all played.

"I understand there will be certain players that haven’t had as many minutes as others and will have a frustration. They’ll be considering what they are thinking about their futures, which is absolutely natural.

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

placeholder image — Bradford City manager Graham Alexander (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

"But it’s not like we’re looking at this squad and thinking that it needs ripping apart. We’re doing good things and have been for a long time.

"It’s our responsibility to try and improve everything and everybody. But sometimes improving the individuals we already have is the way forward and not just changing them.

"There are others who might not be playing so well or might not be in team, but can definitely help us in the future. We just need to help him improve and that’s our jobs.

"I’m not just changing players for changes’ sake.

ILLNESS: Andy Cook (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

"Any transfer window has got to be managed right. Every team will be trying to improve and we’re no different.

"We just have to get the balance right because the team has done unbelievably well this season."

Alexander has confirmed that striker Andy Cook is back in training after missing last weekend’s League One win at Plymouth Argyle with illness.

Cook is one of a handful of City players who have been struggling with bouts of sickness of late, but he is on the mend with a couple of other players due to return to training on Friday.

Lewis Richards (hamstring) will be out for 'five to six weeks', the City chief confirmed.

He added: "He’s already out running on the grass with Bobby (Scarborough – head of medical) as is Matt Pennington. They are really good at getting people moving straight away.

"You’re probably looking at the start of January for Lewis being back."