City keen to bring in striker Hines as Parkinson’s battles injury list

The striker is understood to be on trial at Valley Parade following his release by Burnley at the start of the summer.

Hines, 23, cost the Clarets £250,000 a year ago and made 16 Championship appearances before being released by Eddie Howe.

City manager Phil Parkinson is keen to bolster his squad as the West Yorkshire club look to improve on hugely disappointing 18th-place finishes in each of the last two seasons.

Hines, born in Jamaica but raised in the East End of London, started his career in English football with West Ham United and made 22 Premier League appearances.

Insiders at Bradford suggest the likelihood of a deal being struck currently stands at around “50-50” but the striker is believed to have impressed recently in training.

Whether the Bantams are able to force through a deal remains to be seen, but a more pressing concern for Parkinson ahead of today’s Capital One Cup trip to Notts County is a lengthy injury list.

Ricky Ravenhill is out for up to 12 weeks after suffering medial ligament damage in a pre-season friendly against Guiseley.

Also unlikely to feature are summer signings Andrew Davies and Gary Jones, while Nathan Doyle is still not ready for first-team action as the former Hull City and Derby County utility man continues to build his fitness after being snapped up by City a week ago.

The absence of so many key players means Bradford are likely to be up against it at Meadow Lane when taking on a Magpies side fancied to do well in League One.

City have a wretched record in the League Cup, having progressed beyond the first round just twice in the last decade. Their last win was over Nottingham Forest two years ago.

Last six games: Notts County WWDLWW, Bradford City WLWWLD.

Last time: Notts County 2 Bradford City 1; November 6, 2009; FA Cup.

Referee: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

SkyBet odds: Notts County to win 8-11, Bradford to win 7-2; Draw 11-4.