Stuart McCall fears City will be priced out of the chase for in-demand keeper Frank Fielding.

McCall is a big admirer of the Blackburn starlet, who has spent impressive loan spells at Wycombe and Rochdale in the past two seasons.

Fielding, who has one England under-21 cap, is definitely in his thoughts as he looks to borrow a stopper long-term for next season to fill the void left after Rhys Evans was released.

But Blackburn may look to cash in on the 21-year-old, whose Ewood contract has another season to run, by selling him – and that would presumably rule out the Bantams because of their tight finances.

McCall said: “Fielding is one that we are aware of but we’ll have to wait and see what Blackburn want and what the kid’s thoughts are.

“There’s been no approach made to him but I think Blackburn might be looking for money. If that’s the case, then we won’t be able to do that.”

City have suffered at Fielding’s sure hands several times.

He made his senior debut at Valley Parade in September 2007, only getting the nod to play for Wycombe just 75 minutes before kick-off after an on-field trial alongside another hastily-recruited loanee.

Fielding then demonstrated no opening-day nerves with a faultless clean sheet in a 1-0 away win.

And City’s nemesis pulled off three key saves at Spotland in March when the score was still goalless – two to deny Peter Thorne and then a point-blank block from Graeme Lee’s header – before Rochdale went on to triumph 3-0.

A City win would have put them bang on course for an automatic promotion slot. Instead the defeat effectively tipped their season over the edge, plunging McCall’s men on to a nine-game winless slump that saw the dreams shattered.

McCall added: “Not only has he always done well against us and certainly saved Rochdale that day at their place, he’s also been involved in two teams that have got to the play-offs.

“But the kid himself might rather go and put roots down somewhere than keep going out on loan.

“And if Blackburn are looking to sell him, I’m sure there are keepers at other clubs who would be allowed to go out for six months or year-long loans.”

Jon McLaughlin has agreed his new deal as understudy after making an impressive debut against Chester-field on the final day of last season.

McLaughlin is eager to step up for more action but McCall plans to recruit a young keeper from a bigger club for the main role – a policy that is followed by a growing number of clubs in League Two.

He said: “Rhys did a good job for us last season but it’s about getting value for money wages-wise.

“We feel we can get somebody in who’s a number three or even four at a Premier League or Championship club, like we did with Scott Loach, who’s gone on to play for Watford.

“Most teams at the top end have three or four goalkeepers. I believe Liverpool have got six, so the players are there.

“Obviously you want a good goalie and if you can get one that’s on half of what a regular keeper would come for then I’ve got to look down that way. Every penny counts.”

Teenager Matthew Convey is likely to start pre-season in the City goal with McLaughlin away on Great Britain duty in Belgrade for the World Student Games.

But McCall is in no immediate hurry to find a number one.

He said: “All teams want to get their players back in July, give them a pre-season and then let them come out. I’m not fretting about it.

“I’ve made a couple of tentative enquiries to give us a chance to throw our hat in the ring if x, y or z became available. But also we’ll see how Jonny comes through.”

Luke Daniels, who starred for Shrewsbury in the play-offs on loan from West Brom, has been linked with City in the past. McCall looked at him before opting for Loach.

Portsmouth’s highly-rated Asmir Begovic, who has been loaned to Yeovil and Bournemouth in the past, is another name that’s been mentioned. But he is pushing to be Pompey’s No 2 next year, having played twice at the end of last season, so a drop down three divisions would seem highly implausible.