PHIL Parkinson admits the acquisition of Ben Williams, Matt Urwin and Mo Shariff has given City’s squad a much-needed boost.

The trio have joined the Bantams on non-contract terms and Parkinson confirmed all three are in contention to face Coventry in Saturday’s League One opener at Valley Parade.

Goalkeeping duo Williams and Urwin arrive after being released from Hibernian and Blackburn respectively, while winger Shariff heads to Valley Parade from QPR.

Urwin and Shariff have impressed while on trial with City recently and Parkinson believes his squad is finally taking shape, although he remains keen to add more new faces before the weekend.

The Bantams boss said: “Ben Williams is an experienced goalkeeper who has played a lot of games and Mo is more of an unknown quantity in terms of playing first-team football but he has been bright since he came in on trial and has done everything we have asked of him.

“He’s someone we think can have an influence in the first team in the coming weeks.

“I spoke to the coaching staff at QPR, especially the Under-21s coaches, and a friend of mine who is their chief scout, Ian Butterworth. That helped to get Mo up here in the first place and his attitude has been really good.

“What I really liked about him is that he came in as a trialist and was really fit whereas a lot of trialists haven’t done enough work over the summer. But Mo arrived in great shape and has done everything we have asked of him.”

Shariff, 21, is a wide player but can also play as a striker and has several loan spells since joining Rangers four years ago.

He impressed in three pre-season games for City and Parkinson added: “He’s played his career as a wide player and we know that we have been lacking that athleticism in our squad out wide.”

Goalkeeper Williams, who began his career at hometown club Manchester United, also had spells with Crewe, Carlisle and Colchester before heading to Hibernian in 2012.

The 31-year-old will compete with on-loan Sunderland stopper Jordan Pickford for the gloves and jersey while Urwin, 20, will also jostle for position following his recent trial.

Parkinson added: “We’ve given Matt Urwin a non-contract as well, so we’re going to have three goalkeepers now.

“Matt has had a shoulder injury which he has rehabbed over the summer, so he’s a little bit behind but he has shown a great attitude since he came here.

“We’re looking forward to working with him in the coming weeks.”

Parkinson confirmed he was seeking to further bolster his squad following a mass exodus of players since the end of last season.

It is understood that French defender Christopher Routis – who also featured for City in pre-season – remains on his radar.

He added: “We have made progress today and, who knows, we might have made a bit more progress before the Coventry game.”