STUART McCall is demanding a united front from City to emerge from their current sticky patch.

The Bantams are pushing to add personnel this week after back-to-back dispiriting losses has hit the mood among fans.

Top scorer Charlie Wyke's injury absence among others, the uncertainty surrounding Tony McMahon and the lack of transfer-window recruits so far has raised concerns over whether they can last the pace in the play-off places.

But McCall insists any in-fighting has to stop and the club must rally round each other to get themselves going again.

He said: "This is when you need leadership. I need to get among the players and lift them up again and we need to be united throughout the club.

"The players need to help each other, we as a staff need to help the players.

"I take responsibility with the team I put out and the decisions that we make. I'll never shy away from that.

"I'm not personally going to let this all crumble now. I'm going to lead from the front.

"In a short space since summer, we've come too far and amassed too many points to let things crumble.

"But we all need to support each other and that's throughout the club.

"It's no good pointing the finger or blaming this and that. No, it's not a time for that. It's a time for being united as a football club."

Wyke had acupuncture treatment yesterday on his lower back and is feeling more hopeful about possibly facing Bristol Rovers next Saturday. City will give him as long as possible before making any decision.

There is also the issue with Scunthorpe's interest in McMahon, another senior figure in McCall's squad. The Iron are still looking for an experienced right back and he remains top of their list after City knocked back an initial bid.

Yet chairman Edin Rahic has made it clear he will not sell to a direct promotion rival after the way Filipe Morais revitalised Bolton this time last year when City agreed to let him go.

There is currently thought to be no other interest in McMahon, who has been given no indication if his contract is going to be renewed in the summer.

City insist Wyke's future is not up for question and he is not for sale amid the constant unsubstantiated rumours linking him with Championship clubs.

McCall is determined to lift any gloom by stressing what is at stake for the rest of the season. Fifth-placed City still have a six-point cushion within the League One top six.

He said: "Yes, it's disappointing, but you can relieve that by looking at the league table. Let's push on now. There is absolutely everything to play for.

"We can't let all the hard work done since the summer evaporate. That's everywhere throughout the club.

"We know supporters are disappointed and frustrated at this moment in time. But you have ups and downs in football in a season – even in a month.

"It was only a couple of weeks ago we had back-to-back victories and probably one of our best home performances. Now we've had a disappointing result on Saturday with mitigating circumstances.

"Who knows what this Saturday will bring. We might have a couple of players in, which would give everyone a lift, and a couple back from injury.

"But we've got to rally round and lift each other and that's something I'll relish. I'll be up for the fight.

"We can influence the feelings outside the dressing room by putting in a true performance and getting a win in the next game we play.

"It's time to stand up, take the criticism that's going to come along, take the punches aimed at you and come out fighting.

"That's what we'll certainly be doing as a group in the dressing room. I can only control what's going on here. I can't affect outside influences.

"But what I will control is the mood of the dressing room and the atmosphere around the football club. There will be no downing tools."