Loan players are rejecting the chance to join City – because they cannot get in the team.

Phil Parkinson has revealed that he had two deals agreed last week for short-term reinforcements but both were scuppered because he could offer no guarantees that they would see much action.

Only 13 players have started in the eight league games so far as Parkinson enjoys the luxury of picking a settled side. That does make it a tougher sell, though, for potential loan targets.

Parkinson said: “I was talking to a couple of players and had agreed everything with two clubs.

“But one would only let the player come if we could guarantee he was going straight in the side. We couldn’t do that – and he wasn’t a cheap option either.

“The other player looked at our team and thought ‘I’m not going to play’ so he turned it down as well. It’s very difficult to come in just as back-up.

“Loans are always difficult, especially if they are younger players from Premier League or Championship clubs who want them to go out and play and gain experience. There’s no point in sitting on our bench.

“But we’re always in the market if we feel someone’s going to improve us. That’s what we’ve got to do.”

Parkinson’s only team chan-ges have seen Kyel Reid replace Mark Yeates and Luke Oliver step in when Rory McArdle was on international duty.

The City boss is full of praise for the attitude of the fringe players who have hardly had a look-in. The likes of Raffael De Vita, Ricky Ravenhill and Alan Connell have been limited to small spells from the bench.

Parkinson added: “We’ve got some good players in waiting who haven’t had a chance (in the league). Their attitude has been great.

“They are often the most important people in the football club and their contribution in the dressing room and at training has been first class.

“We spoke about it before the Gillingham game and how winning away from home needs the spirit to be right on the coach and in and around the hotel. There are no despondent players – everyone plays their part.”

Meanwhile, Parkinson still remains unsure over the identity of Saturday’s match-winner. Gary Jones was credited with the goal from his corner but Garry Thompson claimed he got the decisive touch.

“I’ve watched it several times and it does look as if there was a touch. But I couldn’t really tell you for definite.”