Bradford City's Graham Alexander excited by Reece Welch potential but still wants four more

Centre-back Welch has joined the Bantams after impressing on trial following his release by Everton.

Veteran Nick Powell is expected to rejoin in time to make his debut in Saturday's League Cup first-round tie against Rochdale, but manager Alexander says after that Bradford are in a holding pattern as they wait to complete their squad.

Signing giant 22-year-old Welch is a big step in the right direction, though. Twelve months ago Alexander took Jenson Metcalfe out of Everton's academy and polished him into a midfielder Championship Millwall paid £2m for this summer. He is looking forward to doing something similar with Welch.

"We'd actually looked at Reece when we were in League Two as a loan player in January but we didn't think where we were at that point and where he was at that point it was worth doing," revealed Alexander. "I didn't think it would work out.

"When he became available to come in and train it was, 'Yeah, we know a bit about him anyway.'

"He's 6ft 5in, he's mobile, he's really composed on the ball so there's a lot to work with there.

"The thing that I spoke to him about was a question about him potentially not coming to Austria (where Bradford had their annual pre-season training camp). I said this is paramount for me.

"I spoke to his agent a lot about this is where I see the personality and character of an individual come out. What we saw was a really dedicated player hungry to be here.

"I had several chats with Reece, he was really motivated to sign for us. He had other opportunities and other potential offers (he was linked with Sheffield Wednesday), but he wanted to come here."

The former England youth international's talk about the "good energy" at Bradford certainly backs up what Alexander says about hunger.

"The size of the club, it is massive," said Welch. "I can already feel the good energy around the club.

“The lads are all sound, great players. The gaffer is brilliant, and I am thankful the manager has put his faith in me. Hopefully I can show what I am about.”

Former Hull City and Manchester United attacker Powell was also in Austria despite his Valley Parade contract expiring at the end of an injury-hit first season.

"He trained every single day in Austria and when I put it together with his pre-season and how long he trained for at the end of last season... it was probably four months of continued training,” said Alexander.

"We know what he's capable of as a player and I think we've adapted to how we have to manage him.

"The deal was already there before he started training – ‘If it works out, this is what it will be,’ and he was okay with it.

"So I think it's just a case of getting the details done and signing this week, hopefully.

"He's made all the right commitments off the pitch and in his daily life to give himself the best chance of enjoying his football.

"I think he really feels there's a lot of love and respect for him here at Bradford."

Welch was Bradford's seventh signing this summer and Alexander wants to take that to 11, but says nothing else is imminent.

"I think we need four players in the squad for the group to be a similar strength to where we were last year and the year before," he argued.

"We had a lot more players this time last year, but probably one or two of them were identified as not being part of the group when we started the season.

"We just want to make sure we get the specific profiles for what we need correct but the sooner the better for everyone concerned.

"Coming into League One last season, our barometer was can we improve on a really, good League Two squad? There was a lot of scope.

"This summer, the question was can we improve on a fourth-placed League One squad? But we've still got the same circumstances, budget-wise, in comparison to the league.

"I think the wage demands at the start of the summer were much higher than last summer.

"I think the new (spending) rules have slowed a lot for the clubs because the rules are a little bit restrictive and difficult for certain clubs with a certain type of budget.

"We've got our profiles, they're unchanged. We're looking at the loan market, but because of the World Cup all the Premier League players have been away, so all the young players – or a lot of them – are staying at the clubs until this period.

"The start of the season always sharpens people's minds. But we're not actually in direct discussions with any individual player or club about a player.

"We just have to be ready to take any opportunity that we feel will be beneficial to us."

Bradford's League One campaign begins at home to Peterborough United on August 15.