Nick Powell reveals retirement plan after Bradford match-winning double

Bradford City forward Nick Powell has revealed that he considered retirement in January before rebuilding his place at the club. Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after scoring twice against Newcastle United Under-21s, the 32-year-old said he now wants to extend his career rather than bring it to an end.

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BBC Sport reported that Powell did not play between September and April after joining Bradford last August. He returned last season, completed pre-season and signed another one-year contract in August. He has appeared from the bench in all 11 matches this campaign, scoring four goals for the League One leaders, and said he is happy contributing as a substitute.

Tuesday's EFL Trophy victory required Bradford to recover from a half-time deficit. Sky Sports' match commentary records Matheos Ferreira putting Newcastle ahead in the 42nd minute, scoring from outside the penalty area after receiving the ball from Afner Cá. Bradford had earlier gone close when Corey O'Keeffe struck the crossbar with a free-kick, but they reached the interval trailing 1-0.

Powell replaced Stephen Humphrys during the second half, with Bobby Pointon also introduced in place of Will Swan. The two substitutes combined for the equaliser in the 59th minute: Pointon supplied a cross and Powell headed in. Newcastle goalkeeper George Mair subsequently saved another Powell header, again following a delivery from Pointon, as Bradford sought a second goal.

The winner arrived in the 71st minute when Powell converted O'Keeffe's cross with his left foot to make it 2-1. Newcastle substitute Johnny Emerson was later sent off in stoppage time for violent conduct. Bradford held their lead through the closing stages to complete the turnaround in the Northern Group C fixture, with Powell responsible for both of their goals.

Powell told BBC Radio Leeds that playing regularly matters more to him than whether he starts, although he acknowledged that he may eventually push for a starting place. Manager Graham Alexander praised his influence after the win and indicated that Powell would not remain exclusively a substitute.