Ebanks-Blake’s arrival could signal Mclean exit

Bradford city manager Phil Parkinson has given Sylvain Ebanks-Blake a chance to prove his fitness, but remains non-committal on the future of big-money striker Aaron Mclean.
Sylvain Ebanks-Blake is training with Bradford.Sylvain Ebanks-Blake is training with Bradford.
Sylvain Ebanks-Blake is training with Bradford.

Mclean joined the Bantams for an undisclosed fee in January and scored four goals in the final 10 games of last season.

But the former Hull frontman – understood to be the highest earner at Bradford with more than 18 months still to run on his contract – has managed just three goals this term in 17 appearances, eight of which have been from the bench.

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Mclean was an unused substitute for the last two games and, allied with his status as a big earner at a financially frugal club and with Ebanks-Blake now being given a chance to win a contract, his future is uncertain.

Sylvain Ebanks-Blake is training with Bradford.Sylvain Ebanks-Blake is training with Bradford.
Sylvain Ebanks-Blake is training with Bradford.

Parkinson said: “He’s out of the side at the moment and that’s the way it is.

“With Aaron, he wants to play and at the moment he’s not playing, and that’s always frustrating for any player.”

Ebanks-Blake has been training with the Bantams this week.

The former Manchester United and Wolves striker has been without a club since leaving Ipswich in the summer.

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“We’re just having a look at him to see what his fitness levels are like and if he fits in with our group of players,” said Parkinson of the 28-year-old, who scored a goal every two and a half games in five years at Wolves.

“If a good striker comes available it’s worth looking at him.

“He’s got pedigree but he’s not played for a while and he needs games under his belt. But the opportunity to look at him was too good to turn down.”

Parkinson is likely to stick with James Hanson and Jon Stead as his strike force tomorrow, when the Bantams host Yorkshire rivals Doncaster.

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Bradford’s FA Cup first-round tie at FC Halifax Town of the Conference has been chosen for television coverage.

The game will be shown live on BT Sport on Sunday, November 9, 12pm. Both clubs will earn £67,500 for the tie being televised.

“It’s a good draw for us, live on television and financially we can’t complain,” said Parkinson.

“With the gate receipts and TV money we get, it won’t do any harm for either club, so we’re pleased. It’s a great tie for both of us.”