'One of life's good guys' - Bradford City manager praises new Doncaster Rovers loanee ahead of derby

The 32-year-old signed for Rovers on Monday - on loan for the rest of the season - and quickly made an impactful debut 24 hours later as he helped his new side keep a clean sheet in a routine win over Leyton Orient.

Bantams' chief Alexander says that Byrne had a number of other offers on the table as well as Rovers, but spoke highly of the centre-half who had struggled for game time in West Yorkshire in the first half of the season. Alexander said: "I had a chat with him. He came to see me two, two-and-a-half weeks ago. He asked for how the picture looked here and I gave him the honest answer he deserved. He continued competing and training with us and then we had a few enquiries and he didn't quite fancy them.

"Then one came around that he did (Doncaster). Once we came through last Saturday we gave him permission to go and speak to Doncaster. I think he deserves to be playing. He's a brilliant pro, brilliant guy and was a massive part in us being promoted last year. He's one of life's good guys and you really hope it goes well for him.

"We're so pleased we got him 18 months ago because he came in and achieved what we wanted - which was promotion out of League Two."

In a strange quirk of fate, Byrne's new side meet his parent club as Rovers travel to Bradford on Saturday lunchtime. The defender is ineligible to play, as per the terms of EFL loan rules.

It is the latest chapter in a fascinating recent rivalry between the two clubs with Rovers having the upper hand of late. Alexander added: "We've had tough games against them where we've managed to get the better of them and they've done it to us a couple of times.

"We go into Saturday fresh with the clarity of what we are. We know the challenge and we have to make sure that our desire for points is strong."