Bradford City cannot stop top-flight clubs from talking to Andy O'Brien.

The highly-rated centre half is said to be top of Bobby Robson's shopping list at Newcastle. And the Bantams are powerless to prevent rivals from approaching the 21-year-old.

As part of his contract, O'Brien has a verbal agreement to be kept informed of any interest from another Premiership club.

And, although City claim the Geordies have not followed up their apparent keenness, boss Jim Jefferies is dreading that the phone will ring: "We don't want to be losing our best young players, and I've told Andy that.

"There's been no formal offer on the table, but if it does come we are obliged to tell him. If he turned it down I would be delighted to look to get him on a longer-term improved contract.

"I've tried to reassure him that if we do go down, we might come up the following year. He's still young enough to play in the Premiership.

"I'm trying to reassure him that I've no intention of staying too long in the First Division and we'll be trying to get straight back up.

"This is not a good time for everybody, but I've told him not to become disillusioned about what is happening.

"This is just a period we have to go through to get what we want. But we are still ambitious."

O'Brien is one of three City injury doubts after losing a toenail through infection.

Robert Molenaar is also hobbling with a toe injury and faces a late test, while Stuart McCall has a slight thigh and hamstring strain.

City have also lost David Hopkin, who joined Crystal Palace yesterday for £1.5m.

"It was unfortunate for David here because of his injuries. He never got into a routine to show what he can do, but in the longer term he wasn't part of my plans.

"David was one of the bigger earners here and what you save on the salary side might mean you can get two or three players in."