Former Bradford City keeper Simon Eastwood will not be making his debut for the city’s second club in today’s friendly after a surprise development.

Avenue thought they had captured the keeper from Blue Square Bet North rivals FC Halifax Town.

Eastwood, who had a spell on loan with the Bantams, did sign for Avenue but is currently on trial with npower League One outfit Portsmouth, as reported in the T&A on Thursday.

John Deacey’s men face their first pre-season game today at Thackley but the Avenue manager confirmed that Eastwood would not be playing any part in this game and that he was looking for a replacement.

“Simon will not be playing. He got a chance to go to Portsmouth and good luck to him,” said Deacey.

“He signed for us in good faith but this opportunity came up soon after and we won’t stand in anybody’s way at this club.

“I don’t know if he will end up playing in League One next season but we have switched our sights to a couple of possible targets.

“We have keepers at the club so there is no great rush to bring someone in just for the sake of it.”

The Bradford manager will also be without midfielder Ross Daly, who he signed from Thackley.

He will miss the whole of pre-season and the first month of Avenue’s league campaign through injury.

Deacey said: “Ross will be another five weeks before he is back in consideration.

“He has had his operation and is off his crutches now but he is three weeks away from resuming training. It could be the first week in September before we can consider him for the squad and we have Michael Duckworth suspended for the first two games.

“Luke Sharry has been training with us though and he looks very sharp so he will be playing at some point against Thackley.”

The former City youth player was released from Valley Parade and spent last season with rivals Worksop.

However, Avenue gained promotion to the Conference North while Worksop remained in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.