Andrew Davies today urged City team-mate Nahki Wells: Stick with us for now.

The 14-goal striker is expected to be hot property during next month’s transfer window as Championship clubs keenly track his progress.

Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes has already admitted that City have to prepare for “all eventualities” with Wells, who has given no indication so far that he will follow James Hanson’s lead and commit to a longer deal.

Davies understands the in-demand Bermuda international wanting to test himself at a higher level. But he believes Wells, whose current contract runs until the end of next season, can still achieve those ambitions by staying put at Valley Parade.

Writing in his Telegraph & Argus column, City’s influential defender said: “I don’t think he needs to go anywhere now. The fans love him, the gaffer loves him and the lads really like him.

“Nahki is only 23 and his big moves and his money will come. Keep scoring goals and it doesn’t matter what team or division he’s at, clubs will be interested.

“I hear people are talking about a £3million price tag for him but that will shoot up to £5-6million if he keeps scoring goals and we move up to the Championship.

“You look at Dwight Gayle, who went from Dagenham to Crystal Palace for £6million rising to £8million. I’ve played against them both and I don’t think he can lace Nahki’s boots.”

Wells is almost halfway towards his pre-season target of 30 goals in this campaign – but his explosive run dates back to the promotion run-in.

Starting with the winner at home to Northampton on April 6, he has netted 22 times in his last 25 City appearances. It is that prolific strike-rate which has inevitably brought Wells to the attention of teams further up the ladder.

Davies said: “I feel that if Bradford want to keep moving forward, you need to keep your best players and Nahki is certainly one of them.

“In an ideal world, I’d do whatever it takes to keep him and I’m sure the manager and the two chairmen will do their best for the club and try to do that.

“If we can add a couple of players in January instead of selling, I honestly and truly believe that we can go up again this year. Nahki’s scoring, Hans will get goals and I think we can have a real go.

“But we are going to struggle to replace Nahki Wells if he leaves. He would be a massive loss to the team.”

Teenage striker Oliver McBurnie, meanwhile, has been called up again to train with Scotland under-18s later this month.

It will be a third taste of the international set-up this season for McBurnie, who made his league debut as a stoppage-time City substitute at Oldham last week.