Bradford City boss on Harry Lewis' Carlisle United return

Goalkeeper Lewis faces Bradford for the first time when he returns to Valley Parade with the Blues in this weekend’s League Two clash.

The United No1 signed from Bradford in the January transfer window in a six-figure deal, after a season-and-a-half with the Bantams.

Ahead of Lewis’s reunion with the west Yorkshire club, Alexander has spoken positively about the keeper's character – but also said Bradford are more than happy with how they have replaced him.

“He’s a great lad,” said Alexander, speaking via the Telegraph & Argus.

“I only knew him a couple of months before he went to Carlisle but got on great with him.

Lewis left Bradford for Carlisle in January (Image: PA)

“He was a good goalkeeper for us. He made his mind up what he wanted to do [when moving to Carlisle].

“Every adult has that opportunity to make a choice. We were delighted with the business of bringing Sam Walker in to replace him. I think he’s been fantastic for us as well.”

Lewis made 86 appearances for Bradford from 2022 to 2024.

The 26-year-old is expected to regain his place in United’s goal this weekend after young understudy Gabe Breeze got an opportunity against Nottingham Forest Under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday.

Alexander added of the former Southampton man: “Harry was certainly someone I enjoyed working with. It will be good to see him.

“I saw him at the end of last season when he came back for the (Valley Parade fire disaster) memorial day.

“I bumped into him and then and said hello.

“I think the business was right for both parties. He wanted to move on and we brought in a really good goalkeeper that we’re so happy with.”

United joint caretaker boss Steven Rudd believes Lewis will handle his return to Valley Parade in the right way.

"I genuinely think he'll be great because, as a person he's a really, really good professional," Rudd told the News & Star.

"He trains properly every day, does everything properly. He's been great to have around this week. He's really positive, he's got a smile on his face, really upbeat and a positive character.

"He's just got to go there and Harry will know he's more experienced [about Bradford] than most of us.

"He just has to do his job, do the basics, block out the crowd and hopefully at the end of the day he can have the last laugh and have a clean sheet or a win as a minimum coming out of there.

"He'll be looking forward to going back, I think. It's always nice to go back and his job's about performing well.