CITY’S frustrating search for a replacement for Andrew Davies goes on after being knocked back by another centre half.

Phil Parkinson was hopeful of landing the target after making an offer last week and thought a deal had been struck.

But the player pulled out to leave the Bantams boss still looking to fill the hole in the back four left by Davies’ departure for Ross County.

Parkinson will not disclose his identity but there have been rumours linking City with former Sheffield Wednesday defender Kamil Zayatte.

Parkinson said: “We thought we had a player coming in on Friday or Saturday. We’d agreed the deal and we carried on talking to the player on Sunday.

“But for one reason or another it’s not quite gone through. It’s a blow for us because he’s a player we’ve targeted for a long time.”

City have worked their way through a procession of centre halves in the four pre-season friendlies up to now. Trialists Jamie McCombe, Steve Saunders, Conrad Balatoni and Mark McAusland have all featured while Alan Sheehan and Gary Liddle have also had shifts in the middle.

Parkinson has admitted that competition for quality central defenders is fierce but his hunt will continue.

He added: “If I told you every story of players we go after over the summer and it doesn’t happen then the back page of the paper would be full every night.

“We’re trying very, very hard but, as I’ve always done, I’m being patient and trying to make sure that we get the right players in.

“We’re looking at a number of other options but it’s not easy. A few of the players we’re looking at are under contract at other clubs so it takes time.

“We’re still short of numbers going into the season but we’re working as hard as we can.”

Parkinson is happy with the efforts of the new recruits already in the squad. Mark Marshall and Luke James both caught the eye in the scratch side that played Guiseley on Tuesday.

The City chief said: “Mark’s a little bit behind (fitness-wise), that’s why we played him and Luke the other night, to get some minutes, and I was pleased with their contributions.

“When you think we put the team together with youngsters and trialists and only had about half an hour to work with them that morning it was a good effort.

“We were up against a strong non-league side who’ve played together for a lot of years.”

Parkinson also believes next week’s trip to Whitby, managed by former City right back Darren Williams, will benefit Steve Davies.

The striker has just returned to full training after an Achilles problem and could get his first involvement in Saturday’s home clash with Carlisle.

Parkinson said: “It’s a good pitch up there at Whitby and the likes of Steve Davies will probably need some game time by that stage.”