CITY’S attempts to sign Blackpool defender Kelvin Mellor could be held up by internal politics at the Lancashire club.

A bid has gone in for the highly-rated right back but the Bantams are still waiting for an answer.

It is understood they have met the expected valuation for Mellor, who is out of contract in the summer.

But despite reports emanating from the west coast on Wednesday night that the bid had been accepted, City have not been given any official indication.

New appointments on the Blackpool board from within the Oyston family, the club’s controversial owners, are likely to complicate a deal which they are desperate to wrap up as quickly as possible.

City have had a difficult transfer window and there are no signs of the much-needed reinforcements arriving in time for tomorrow’s clash at Bristol Rovers.

Plymouth boss Derek Adams has also issued a public “hands off” after they made a bid for striker Ryan Taylor.

City assistant boss Kenny Black confirmed their interest in Mellor but admitted it is becoming an increasingly tricky period for them to get deals done.

Black said: “Mellor is one that has been on the radar since the start of the season. But that’s probably the case with a number of clubs.

“We’ve got no divine right (to sign him) just because we make an offer. Until they actually agree and he comes in and shakes our hands, only then is it signed and sealed.

“It is a bit disrespectful and awkward to be talking about players from Blackpool or elsewhere until then because you can have egg on your face.

“It just takes a line to be misinterpreted. The agent could get a call and all of a sudden the situation changes.

“The (Alexis) Sanchez one is a prime example. He was all set to go to Man City and now it looks like Man United or even Chelsea.

“So you have to cover yourself. But last week’s game showed us up when we had six or seven missing – four or five of them would be normal starters.

“We look a bit thin on the ground, particularly defensively.

“We’ve had a good season so far and we’re in a healthy position in the league. A lot of teams would like to swap with us, the likes of MK Dons and Southend, but we could do with a few more bodies.”

Mellor trained as usual with Blackpool yesterday and they expect him to play at Wimbledon.

Boss Gary Bowyer remains hopeful about keeping last season’s player of the year. But he admits that could be out of his hands.

He said: “I just told him to concentrate on the football.

“It doesn’t surprise me people are interested in him because of the impact he’s made since he arrived on a free transfer. It’s been an outstanding bit of business if he were to go.

“I’d rather not talk about him going yet because I’d rather stay in the positive. I’m fighting to keep the lad.”

Mellor’s capture would grease the wheels for Scunthorpe’s move to sign Tony McMahon.

City have already turned down their bid for the defender, who remains sidelined with the thigh injury he suffered at Fleetwood on New Year’s Day.

But Black insisted there is no sub-plot to McMahon’s continued absence.

“Tony has still got an injury,” he said. “He played against Fleetwood and probably wasn’t feeling 100 per cent after his illness but he was desperate to be out there.

“He’s a really important player for us. His assists and his experience are as good as anything in League One in terms of his use of the ball.

“But he’s only contracted until the end of the season. Again we come into January and if there’s interest, it’s got to be for the benefit of Tony and Bradford City and then we’ll see what happens.

“He’s not trained this week and would miss the trip to Bristol no matter what.”