Paul Jewell will meet Stuart McCall this weekend and is "hopeful" of attracting the Scotland star back to Bradford City.

The Bantams are the only club to fix up a meeting with the 33-year-old following his meeting with outgoing Rangers manager Walter Smith this week.

The City boss will discuss terms with McCall and hopes to persuade him that his future lies away from Scotland despite him having 12 months left on his Ibrox contract.

Rangers have not indicated yet whether they will put a fee on McCall with sources north of the border suggesting that he may be given a free transfer due to his seven years' service with the Scottish giants.

Jewell said: "I have spoken to Stuart four or five times over the last week and our chats have all been very positive.

"He wanted to make sure that we, as a club, are not just happy to stand still in the First Division.

"He knows we want to go forward and I want him to lead us. We have not had to sell Bradford City to Stuart and we will discuss terms at our meeting."

The Telegraph & Argus revealed City's interest last week with their fellow First Division sides Huddersfield Town and Barnsley also believed to be looking to tempt him back to Yorkshire.

However the Terriers appear to have dropped out of the race after offering Barry Horne an extended one-year deal in the hope he can lead the midfield.

Barnsley manager Danny Wilson is also on holiday for two weeks at the moment which means City are the first club to sit down and talk to McCall since his return from Rangers' end of season holiday last Tuesday.

Barnsley are believed to be offering McCall a player-coaching role but Jewell claimed the midfielder is keen to concentrate on playing.

The City boss said: "He thinks he has two or three really good years left in him and hopefully he can help take us to the top level.

"I have told him how difficult it is to try and manage both of them together.

"He has also spoken to people like Jimmy Nicholl and Terry Butcher up in Scotland and they have advised him to continue playing.

"I think Rangers want him to stay but he appears keen to move on.

"There has been no mention of a fee yet but I don't think they will stand in his way as he has given them seven years great service.

"Stuart would be a superb signing for us and I am hopeful of bringing him to Bradford City. But I don't want to build up my hopes though."

McCall made 238 league appearances for the Bantams in a six-year spell from 1982.

He is probably the most popular player in the club's recent history and fans have already indicated that his return would be hugely popular.

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