Chesterfield v Bradford City: Parkinson will not be forced to sell City stars

The Bantams – and more specifically manager Phil Parkinson – has been given cause for extra satisfaction with co-owner Julian Rhodes insisting that the club do not have to sell a player to help balance the books in January.

That sort of development clearly represents music to the ears of the Bantams chief, although the prospect still remains that if the club are made a big-money offer for one of their star players, they may still may consider it.

On Rhodes’s comments, Parkinson, whose side visit Chesterfield today, said: “It is great to hear. Our supporters have got to understand that the board are very open about the finances.

“But this club is probably in as strong a position as any other because there are no debts at all.

“That’s through the careful planning of the board.”

One man who is expected to attract some levels of interest in January is James Hanson, who has previously been on the radar of a number of clubs, including Huddersfield Town.

As it stands, the big striker is having to bide his time with Jon Stead and Billy Clarke doing the business up front for the Bantams.

It has been an ideal scenario for Parkinson, with their performances enabling him to ease back Hanson from a thigh problem by naming him on the bench.

Parkinson added: “He is a great lad. He loves playing for the club and it’s a good challenge for him.

“I think it has helped him that he has had those few extra weeks. In the past with James, as soon as he is fit, he is back in the team.”