Danny Rowe’s shock departure from Bradford City will heighten their resolve to make striker Andy Cook’s loan permanent this summer.

Rowe moved to Chesterfield on Conference deadline day for an undisclosed fee.

Cook and Rowe both joined during a busy January transfer window for the Bantams but whilst the first transfer was supposed to be temporary and the second permanent, Cook has ended up outlasting Rowe’s 92-day stay.

In that time the 31-year-old scored five goals but the fact he had only started one of the last eight matches, with joint managers Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars more often favouring 30-year-old Cook in a 4-2-3-1 formation led to a transfer request few at Valley Parade appear to have seen coming.

Exit: Striker Danny Rowe has left Bradford City for National League side Chesterfield. Picture by Simon Hulme

“Today was when I found out Danny wanted to leave to go to Chesterfield,” confirmed Trueman yesterday.

“We’ve had a number of conversations with him over the past couple of weeks and had a positive one on Wednesday about him being in our plans.

“Unfortunately, Danny has shown a real intent to leave the football club so we’re not going to stand in his way. We’ve got to move on.

“We’ve identified some targets for the summer, some attacking players who will allow us to play a more expansive type of football.

Wanted: Bantams are expected to try and sign on-loan striker Andy Cook from Mansfield Town after Rowe's departure. Picture Bruce Rollinson

“He knew we could play different systems and he was going to be a part of that.

“I feel it is going to be exciting times moving into the summer window bringing in fresh faces who will improve this football club.”

It is Rowe’s third “permanent” transfer since leaving Fylde for Oldham Athletic at the start of last year.

Despite eight goals for Cook – making him their top-scorer this season – Bradford had been coy about making his loan from Mansfield Town permanent but have now put their cards on the table, with Trueman confirming: “He obviously will be a target, that we’ll be looking to bring to the football club.”

The move comes at a time when Bradford’s season has ground to a bit of a halt, three straight defeats – their worst run under the managerial duo – leaving them seven points and six places outside the play-off positions with only four matches left.

They are also expecting centre-forward Lee Novak to make his first appearance of the year soon after recovering from injury.

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Shock as Danny Rowe leaves Bradford City but Bantams keen to sign Andy Cook