Phil Parkinson’s plans for next season remain on hold until City have rubberstamped their League One status.

The Bantams are nine points clear of the drop zone with six games to go – and victory over Oldham tomorrow would take them well over the 50 that is widely seen as the safety mark.

With so many of the squad out of contract, Parkinson has a busy summer mapped out. But he refuses to get ahead of himself.

The City chief said: “We want to get mathematically safe before we start looking too far ahead. We’re obviously getting close to that but we’re not there yet.

“We’ve got people working for us looking at a number of situations, which you’ve got to do, but my focus is purely on the next game.

“We’ve still got work to do. Teams down the bottom will improve and get results you don’t expect.

“If, for any minute, you believe that your job’s done then you’ll be in for a shock.”

City want to put on a show at the Valley Parade against the Latics to make up for the non-event in their last home outing ten days ago.

Since then they have picked up four points on the road with back-to-back clean sheets at Leyton Orient and Coventry.

The Walsall loss was arguably City’s flattest display on home soil since Cheltenham in November 2011, early in Parkinson’s reign.

He added: “It’s been a long time. Even when we haven’t won, we’ve put in a performance full of commitment.

“Games like that have been few and far between. We want to make sure that is a rarity and put it right.

“We’ve got to look forward to getting back on our home patch after two good results on the road.

“We know Oldham are going to come 4-5-1 against us and I don’t think it’s going to be a game with loads of chances.

“You look at some teams before we play them and know it’s going to be an open game. But this is going to be different.

“It will be tight and both ourselves and the supporters will have to be patient. Oldham quickly get men behind the ball – they did it at Orient and did it well and were the same at home against Brentford.

“They have pretty much got the team and system in place.”

City have agreed with Leeds to extend Adam Drury’s loan, which is up this weekend.

The left back sat out midweek with a strained medial ligament but has recovered quicker than expected and could be in contention.

Parkinson said: “Adam is an experienced player and knows his own body.

“I like him. He’s a good player and a solid character as well – and I’m pleased how he has fitted in.”

Nathan Doyle is still missing and James Hanson will not be risked again. He is starting to improve after his groin and back problems but has still not been able to train.

“It just shows the importance of getting Jon (Stead) in,” said Parkinson. “We were looking very light in that department and it is the most important area of the pitch.

“It gives us the chance to make sure James is fully 100 per cent.”

Meanwhile, James Meredith has started light jogging again but is unlikely to be risked in the run-in.