STUART McCall remains “hopeful” of landing Charlie Wyke but confirmed City have back-up targets.

The Bantams are still determined to beat the deadline and clinch a deal with the Carlisle striker, who scored his 13th goal in the last 16 outings at the weekend.

City’s £250,000 bid has been on the table since last week, triggering a release clause in Wyke’s contract.

But Carlisle continue to resist and boss Keith Curle claims League Two’s top scorer is now attracting interest from the Championship.

McCall, who spoke publicly for the first time about Wyke after Saturday’s 2-1 win at Oldham, believes City are doing all they can to force the move through.

He said: “I’m hopeful but again the club can’t do any more. We’ve followed every procedure and met the clause.

“I thought it was a simple case of us meeting the clause and it would get done unless other clubs involved.

“Edin (Rahic), Greg (Abbott) and James (Mason) are on with it and phone calls are going back and forward.

“At this stage we’re just waiting, although I don’t know what for.”

Wyke is thought to be keen to make the move to Valley Parade but Curle denied his latest goal against Barnet was a farewell gesture for the Cumbrians.

McCall revealed City do have a “Plan B” option if the Wyke deal flounders before tomorrow’s 11pm cut-off point.

The T&A understands that Preston's Eoin Doyle is among other strikers being considered.

McCall added: “There are three or four others on the list. But they are also on the list of other teams.

“Everyone is trying. You look at Fleetwood who have brought a few in over the piece.

“We do need a couple of bodies in and that’s what we’re aiming to do.”

McCall wants at least a couple of new faces before the transfer window shuts and is looking for another left-sided defender to replace Matt Kilgallon. City are already being linked with Barrow's highly-rated left back Nick Anderton.

Kilgallon has gone under the knife to repair a pectoral muscle from his injury suffered during the Millwall game nine days ago. City now fear that is his season over.

McCall added: “An X-ray on the bony part of his shoulder was no problem and it wasn’t dislocated.

“But we think some muscle has come off the bone in his pec.

“It looks like he’s probably out for the season which is a blow for him and for everyone.

“Killa had done well in his last two games and has done a good job for us when needed at left back and left centre back.

“With him out, we’ll need to get some left-back cover in now if we can.

“The club are working extremely hard behind the scenes to get deals done and that will continue.”

Romain Vincelot and Rory McArdle were on target at Boundary Park – the first goals scored by City centre halves this season. Both came from set-pieces.

“It’s nice to see things you work on come off,” said McCall. “We’ve worked hard in training on our deliveries.

“I was also pleased with the way they defended set-plays. We’ve lost the height of (James) Hanson, Killa and (Nathaniel) Knight-Percival and Oldham are a big side.”