MICHAEL Collins has repeated his backing for Matt Kilgallon, insisting the defender’s absence from his City plans remains a selection decision.

Speaking at this morning’s press conference, the Bantams head coach once again made it clear that there is no hidden agenda behind Kilgallon’s omission from the team.

“There are probably issues from the outside that people love to create,” he said. “That’s the nature of the industry.

“But I’m relaxed about it. I’ve got a good relationship with Matt and there’s no issue there.

"No player’s ever far away provided they are constantly working hard in training.

“At this moment, I made it clear we’ve taken a different route with how we’re viewing things in that central defensive area.

“Provided Matt continues to come in and work hard, as he does every day, I’m never going to rule anybody out.

“Somebody who’s got the kind of CV and the stature of Matt Kilgallon will always come into your thinking.

“But until we make a decision about bringing him back into the squad, we’ll continue as we are.

“He’s been fantastic and gone about his business in the way I would have expected.”