ANOTHER of Town's young Academy stars has been added to the first-team squad with 17-year-old Gerard Nash travelling up to Bradford with the team last night as extra defensive cover for Georges Santos.

ANOTHER of Town's young Academy stars has been added to the first-team squad with 17-year-old Gerard Nash travelling up to Bradford with the team last night as extra defensive cover for Georges Santos, writes Derek Davis.

Blues boss Joe Royle had admitted in midweek that he had reservations at pitching the youngster into battle at Valley Parade.

But nerveless Nash insisted he was ready for the challenge and raring to go on his first step up to the big time.

Frenchman Santos is suffering from a groin strain, and it is the Academy central defender Nash who is on stand-by to take his place if he fails to recover in time for today's Division One clash at Bradford City.

Nash said: “You never know what is going to happen so I have been preparing for this just as I would any game.

“I don't get nervous. As far as I'm concerned we can all play football otherwise we would not be at the club. All you can do is take your chance when it comes along.

“If you are nervous that can only hinder you so you have to be ready and confident in your ability.”

Dubliner Nash is captain of the Republic of Ireland Under-18s who are preparing for the European Championships in February.

But his progress in Town's Reserves and as a regular on the first-team bench has been a great experience for the former Academy defender.

He said: “The aim for me is to get into the first team so I would love the chance and if given one I would take it.

“There are a couple of people coming back from injury, so soon the chances are going to be even more limited - it will be even harder to get in the squad.

“It has been great being in the squad, everyone makes you feel so welcome and going with them in pre-season was a big help so I'm very used to being in the senior squad now.”

If Nash does get the nod he knows he faces a handful in Scotland international Andy Gray and Luke Cornwall, who combine to make up the Bradford City attack this afternoon.

Nash said: “We have been on a good run with four wins out of five so there is no reason why we can't go there and win another three points.

“If we are going to be promotion candidates then we need to be beating teams like Bradford.”

Whoever gets the nod today should enjoy a victory against a Bantams side who have lost four of their past six games at Valley Parade.