Nick Powell backs Bobby Pointon for Bradford City play-off glory

Nick Powell wants Bobby Pointon back for Bradford City’s play-off tie against Bolton, saying he would be “unbelievably pleased” if the injured winger is available on Tuesday night. The 32-year-old striker has tied that hope to Bradford’s push to move on in the League One play-offs.

“I think that's what play-off stages are for - to put people in the spotlight,” Powell said ahead of the second leg against Bolton. “I'm hoping someone in my team can do that and it'd be nice if it was Bobby, if he is available.”

Powell and Pointon at Bradford

Pointon has missed the last five games with the ankle injury he suffered against Stevenage, which makes his availability the main issue for Bradford as they prepare for Tuesday night. Powell described him as “the epitome of Bradford” after knowing him for 10 months, and said, “I'd be unbelievably pleased for him because for a person that I've known for 10 months, he is the epitome of Bradford and I'd love him to do it.”

Powell also said Pointon’s success at this stage would fit the club’s own push. “If that was for someone at Bradford, which I hope it is, because it means I don't have to do as much, it would be a lovely story,” he said. That puts the focus on one player’s fitness inside a tie that Bradford must get past if it is to keep its season moving.

Bolton and Tuesday night

Powell came off the bench in the first leg at Bolton on Saturday, giving Bradford one more experienced option as the tie moved toward its second leg. He said, “We all know what is at stake.”

He also linked the current run to his own history. Powell won a League Two play-off final with Crewe in 2012 and scored a Wembley goal as a teenager against Cheltenham, but he said the priority now is the team. “It would be lovely for Bradford to do it as a team and be really nice to be part of that,” he said. “We have to get over the line and hopefully we do, so it would be nice to be etched into Bradford's history.”

For Bradford, the immediate issue is simple: if Pointon is available, he could give the side the sort of local edge Powell wants in the play-offs. If he is not, the club still has to make Tuesday night count without him.