STUART McCall has told City to get their heads straight back up for the Valley Parade collision with Bolton.

Saturday's visit of Phil Parkinson's side adds extra spice as the Bantams try to respond from the sickener of the Fleetwood loss.

McCall's men should have been going into the Bolton clash back in fourth spot but instead find themselves looking anxiously over their shoulder at the teams closing in right behind them.

Yet the City chief insists it is no time to be beating themselves up after blowing a winning position.

McCall said: "It's bitterly disappointing to lose a game that we were looking comfortable in – but that's football. If you don't take your opportunities, they come back to bite you.

"But we're not going to throw away all the hard work we've done in getting up to where we are. There are still 14 games to go and it's no good us feeling sorry for ourselves.

"It's another big game on Saturday and obviously a great one to look forward to. But I don't think it would make a difference who we're playing. We've got to lift the lads."

McCall is growing concerned at the defensive lapses that have suddenly cropped up in City's campaign.

They have now gone six games since the last League One clean sheet against Chesterfield on January 7 and have not kept one away from home for over four months.

Both Fleetwood goals in their comeback win came from City switching off and McCall said: "We've got to get back to keeping clean sheets because they help you win games.

"We've got to look at the goals we conceded and address that. We've not defended a cross and then we've not defended the near-post area. It's a tough one.

"But that game has gone now and we can't affect that. It's not time to think what could have been. We'll look at the shape of the side and the personnel that are available to us and aim to go out and put in a really strong performance.

"It's about Saturday and the games after that and hopefully getting us to where we want to go. If we don't succeed, it won't be through a lack of effort and desire because we've got that in the dressing room."

Meanwhile, Alex Jones is planning to increase his gym work as he recovers from a cartilage tear in his hip.