Bradford City vying with Leeds United for Gray signature (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford City vying with Leeds United for Andy Gray signature

7:20am Thursday 12th July 2012 in Sport By Simon Parker , Bradford City Reporter

City face losing out to neighbours Leeds in their long pursuit of Andy Gray.

The Telegraph & Argus understands that Neil Warnock’s side are the Championship club that have registered their interest in the 34-year-old.

Warnock signed Gray for Sheffield United from the Bantams in 2004 and is understood to be keen to take him again once the imminent takeover goes through at Elland Road.

Although the striker is likely to start down the pecking order, the chance to stay in the second tier would appeal after he left Barnsley.

Gray began his career at Leeds, playing in the 1996 League Cup final at Wembley as a teenager, and has always had strong family links there through father Frank and uncle Eddie.

With no deal done as yet, City remain in the frame but admit privately that their chances of bringing him back to Valley Parade are fading fast.

Phil Parkinson is still looking to add to his seven summer captures, with another frontman and a right winger among the expected targets. City have three days less to play with before the start of the new season after the Capital One first-round trip to Notts County was brought forward to Saturday, August 11.

Parkinson was pleased with the switch, which frees up the following week before they kick off the league campaign at Gillingham. The proposed Barnsley friendly has been cancelled.

He said: “It was something I instigated with (Notts County manager) Keith Curle. We got wind that a couple of clubs were trying to do the same and it gives us the extra time before the league starts.”

Meanwhile, former skipper Michael Flynn could be in line for an early reunion with City after joining Gillin-gham on trial. Flynn, who previously captained the Kent club, has gone on their five-day trip to France so new boss Martin Allen can check on his fitness.

And Simon Ramsden’s possible move to Motherwell is getting closer.

The right back, whose offer from City remains on the table, spent a week with Stuart McCall’s side training in the Algarve.

He is likely to play for them again in a friendly at Ayr on Saturday.

McCall said: “Rammers will get a game. He is a good pro and talks well.

“We had a nine-a-side game over in Portugal and he did well. It’s an area of the park which does certainly need strengthening.”

Parkinson last week signed Stephen Darby to fill that role for the Bantams.