City transfer target Garry Thompson is the real deal, according to former team-mate Scott Loach.

All eyes will be on Thompson when Morecambe make their first-ever league visit to Valley Parade on Saturday.

City had a £10,000 bid dismissed as a "joke" by the Shrimps in January but are still thought to be favourites to sign the right winger when his contract runs out in the summer.

Goalkeeper Loach, who had a brief loan spell alongside him at Christie Park, can understand the appeal.

Loach said: "As a winger, he's got everything. Technically he's brilliant and you can also put him up front because he's a big guy who wins a lot of headers.

"Thompson scored a couple of goals while I was there and you can see why there is interest from Bradford because he's a top player.

"Morecambe have been on form all season and he's definitely up there as the biggest threat. I know they do look to hit him a lot with the ball and he is also a tough one on corners."

Loach made his league debut for Morecambe on New Year's Day - one of five different keepers they have used in their first season - but he was gone just over a week later after two more games.

No wonder he feels there is a point to be proved to boss Sammy McIlroy.

Loach said: "I just wanted a chance to play league football and after a couple of games I was buzzing, thinking there were still 20 more.

"But the gaffer there said he wanted a permanent goalkeeper. They had just lost Joe Lewis, who had joined Peterborough, and he wanted to look to the future of the club.

"It was a real kick in the teeth at the time but it's worked out well. They didn't want me so it's their loss and I'm happy where I am at Bradford."

Stuart McCall's pre-match plans have been hit by several injury worries and he expects changes from the side undone by a late goal at Rochdale.

Omar Daley is back from suspension while youngster Luke Medley, a midweek sub, is pushing for a longer run-out. But McCall understands the spotlight will be on an opposition player.

"Thompson has been their main creative source of goals of late, and has been scoring as well, but he's one of many good footballers they've got," said McCall.

"Morecambe had a good win over Rotherham last week but I think they will be kicking themselves because they were in a great position.

"We look back on certain games and they've probably had a similar six-week dip, otherwise they would be right up there challenging.

"But they're a good footballing team and it should be an open game. I just hope we can show some consistency.

"We've performed well for four games, so let's do it for the last six. We've got four at home and it would be nice if we could go out with double-figure points if possible."

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