'˜Fighter' Abbott helps Bradford City get summer recruitment plans underway

City revealed over the weekend that former player Abbott, 54, is underdoing cancer treatment.

Grayson said: “We wish Greg all the best. He had the operation yesterday (Sunday) and I am sure everything will be fine and he will come through.

“I have got a lot of close friends who have had the illness as well. It has obviously been spotted quite early, which is the main thing for his health in the future. Greg, as he, is will want to be back to work tomorrow. He is a fighter.”

Insisting that the news will not hinder the club’s transfer plans, Grayson added: “We have done a lot of work already because we have known for a couple of weeks that he was going in this weekend for the

operation.

“We are ahead of where we need to be in terms of recruitment. But with the longer term, it is something we will talk about further down the line.

“Plans have been in place for next year at every football club. You are always looking at players and planning pre-season preparation games and Greg has played a big part of that in the last few weeks.

“Nothing will change in that respect. First and foremost, comes his health and well being. Longer term, I am sure Greg, Edin (Rahic) and myself will sit down and see what he wants to do.”