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  • "Don't see why we son't play with 3 at the back. my view is 3 centre backs is stronger than 2. Thinl we could do with a couple of wingers thou no replacments for Reid or Thompson is stead of a left back"
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Carl McHugh in frame to fill Bradford City left back vacancy

7:40am Monday 30th July 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Simon Parker , Bradford City Reporter

Trialist Carl McHugh is bidding to be one of the 'two or three' new faces Phil Parkinson plans to bring in Trialist Carl McHugh is bidding to be one of the 'two or three' new faces Phil Parkinson plans to bring in

Phil Parkinson has ruled out a Valley Parade return for Matt Fry.

The City boss wants to add another “two or three” new faces to the squad now they have returned from Ireland.

Left back is one position he intends to strengthen, with no back-up currently for James Meredith.

But Parkinson will not be going back for Fry, who is without a club since leaving City at the end of last season.

Irish teenager Carl McHugh could be in the reckoning as he continues his trial at Apperley Bridge this week.

The 19-year-old former Reading trainee, who can play both centre half or left back, missed Saturday’s 2-1 win at Bray with a minor knock.

But Parkinson has liked what he has seen of McHugh so far and wants to keep close tabs on him.

He said: “Carl’s done really well and he’s got a lot of good attributes.

“He had a slight injury but he’s coming over so we can have a good look at him.”

With Andrew Davies laid low by a bug, Luke Oliver and Rory McArdle both had to play the full game – highlighting the need to bolster numbers at the back.

Parkinson added: “I’m pleased with how it’s shaping up but we obviously need to be stronger in certain areas and we can hopefully do that in the next week or so.

“We’ve got to look at getting an extra two or three players in the squad, which we are working on.

“Even though the first few signings of the summer were defenders we are short, certainly at left back cover. We have got McArdle and Stephen Darby at right back but we need to bring in another one on the left.”

Midfielder Scott Donnelly was the only trialist on view at the Carlisle Grounds. Anthony McNamee and Michael Boateng had left the tour early for a prior engagement but remain under consideration.

Parkinson was happy with City’s efforts against the strongest pre-season opponents they have faced so far.

“Bray are a decent side with a big squad and they hadn’t had a game leading up to this one, so they were able to play their full team.

“It was hard but that’s what we wanted and I’m pleased to get the win.”

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