Bradford City 'watch' Accrington Stanley's Benn Ward as Reading and Chesterfield also linked
Bradford City are reportedly among the clubs to have taken a look at Accrington Stanley defender Benn Ward.
The 21-year-old dropped into League Two in January, making the move to Accrington from Burnley.
He had been lured to Turf Moor after impressing in non-league football with Hastings United, but a first-team breakthrough did not materialise with the Clarets.
Ward has enjoyed a new lease of life in the fourth tier, developing swiftly and fuelling talk of League One interest.
Benn Ward watched
According to reporter Alan Nixon via his Patreon page, Bradford are among those to have checked out the promising centre-back.
Fellow League One outfit Reading are also said to have watched Ward, as are fourth-tier Chesterfield.
It appears there could be a battle for the services of the former Claret, with a further nine League One clubs thought to have watched him at the weekend.
Accrington were in FA Cup action, exiting at the second round stage after a penalty shootout defeat to Mansfield Town. Ward completed the full 90 minutes, lining up in a back three alongside Devon Matthews and Farrend Rawson.
Despite only escaping League Two last season, Bradford are already competing for a place in the Championship. After a remarkable start to the campaign, Graham Alexander’s men sit second.
If the club do opt to recruit in January, the calibre of player they could attract may well have risen. That being said, much of the club’s summer recruitment was shrewd.
John Doolan on Benn Ward
After Ward’s move to Accrington in the summer, the club’s boss John Doolan said: "He brings quality. He is good on the ball, he is aggressive in both boxes, he likes defending, so he fits the bill.
"Off the field, he is a good lad, good character, he has a good way about him and does it right on and off the field. We have kept tabs on him and we are now happy it is over the line.
"We did have a few targets, Benn was the top because he had been to Swindon and he is a left-sided centre back and he will give us the balance we need."