Matt Clarke has claimed he has joined a bigger club after leaving Bradford City to drop into the First Division.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper yesterday joined promotion contenders Bolton on loan to the end of the season to end a four-month spell in the wilderness at Valley Parade.

And as Clarke hinted that he would make the deal permanent if his new club went up, he said the move away from City was a "forward step".

Clarke said: "Bolton is a lot bigger club than Bradford with better facilities and it would be a forward step, not a backward step to go there.

"I would be looking for a permanent move to Bolton only if they were promoted, but this loan move has given me a new lease of life and hopefully I can make the most of it.

"I spoke to the Bolton manager Sam Allardyce three weeks ago and there was talk about my coming to Bolton on loan. No disrespect to Bolton, I felt I didn't want to go on loan.

"I was looking for a more permanent type of move, but the closer it got to the transfer deadline I decided to go on loan for the rest of the season and help Bolton to get promotion.

"Fulham are running away with it at the top, but Bolton have kept in touch and, although it is going to be tough I want to help them to have a successful run.

"I was disappointed to be left out at Bradford, especially when I was playing in the Premiership. That is where you want to be.

"Although Bolton are in the First Division I believe they are a Premier League club and I hope they can get back where they belong.

"I felt I was a good servant to Bradford. I was negotiating a new contract and then everything fell over and before I knew I was being touted in the press for a transfer. Then there was no place for me and I was out in the cold. Things were going so well and then when you drop, you drop from a great height."

City have signed Spurs under-19 goalkeeper Jamie Attwell on trial and, with No 2 Aidan Davison (groin) and junior keeper Jon Worsnop (ankle) both injured, he goes straight into the reserve team for tonight's match against Blackburn at Morecambe.

The 6ft 4in keeper, recommended by goalkeeping coach Neville Southall, has played for Wales under-18s.

City Res: Attwell, Halle, Emanuel, Myers, Morgan, Fishlock, Kerr McKinlay, Jones, Grant, Lee. Subs: Hardy, Brodie, Rutherford, Lo Piccolo, McGahey.