CITY are confident of landing Billy Clarke’s replacement before the end of the transfer window.

Phil Parkinson has names in mind and will use the first free week of the season to push ahead with another signing up front.

The much-improved performance in Saturday’s goalless draw with Barnsley has revived spirits around the club. But Parkinson still feels they need to add an extra frontman to compensate the loss of the injured Clarke for the next three months.

He said: “We’re still working on a few things. The more I look at it, I do feel it’s important we get another striker in.

“Davo (Steve Davies) can play with James Hanson because he’s a different type of player. He’s more the technical type where you can get the ball into his feet, whereas Hans stretches the pitch.

“But we want more options and we’ll be working towards that this week. We expect to get another one in before the window closes.

“It’s been a blow for us losing Billy Clarke because he is real quality. But Steve Davies has got to keep hold of the shirt and I thought he played well.”

Davies was one of six changes from the team booed off after losing to Gillingham at Valley Parade – a defeat which had Parkinson pointing the finger at his side’s commitment levels.

There were no complaints from the Bantams boss, or the 1,800 away fans at Oakwell, after claiming their first clean sheet of the season.

Parkinson added: “There were signs of recovery for us. It’s been a difficult start to the season.

“There are things that have gone against us with the missed penalties and the injuries we’ve had.

“But what pleased me on Saturday was seeing that the spirit we demand from the players – and we’ve got a lot of new ones – was there.

“It wasn’t always great at times but there was a lot of good stuff.

“Barnsley had the extra man in midfield but we didn’t get dominated in the middle of the pitch. Physically we looked really strong which is something we pride ourselves on.

“It’s taken time for us to get the players where they want to be. But there were signs that we are getting the Bradford City we want.”

Parkinson handed debuts to loan signings Lee Evans and Reece Burke and both looked impressive. Evans was outstanding in a midfield that reverted to a flat four with two wingers after ditching the diamond.

Parkinson said: “Evo got stronger as the game wore on, and he was terrific in the second half especially.

“He stayed in the game, doing a job for the team and then got more of the ball and showed his quality in possession.”