BILLY Clarke is proving a big miss for the Bantams, admitted Stuart McCall.

The influential Irishman has sat out the last three games with an injured calf and is rated "touch and go" for when City return to league action against Charlton a week on Saturday.

McCall's men have scored just once during the striker's current absence and lost at Southend and Swindon.

The City chief said: "Billy has been at the top of his game. He is an influential player in lots of ways.

"With the way we want to play, a lot of it goes through him. He's our top scorer with six goals and is a very important player for us."

Clarke's future at Valley Parade had looked uncertain after a difficult second season when he managed only four goals in total.

But he has convinced McCall by returning to the form of his opening year, when he finished as the club's leading marksman.

"I'd looked at his stats and he got 14 goals in his first season, mainly playing at the top of the diamond behind (James) Hanson and (Jon) Stead," said McCall.

"Unfortunately last year he had an injury and then missed a couple of chances, so his confidence took a bit of a dip. But he's done really well since I came back to the club.

"No doubt Billy is best suited to the number ten role but we saw him play up front alone against MK Dons and he did exactly the same at Millwall when Lawsy (Nicky Law) played behind him. Billy had a very good game in both.

"We know he's technically very good and he also trains very hard. That's important because it helps to keep the standard up."

Clarke was outstanding in the recent 4-0 demolition of Rochdale, when he was among the scorers, but aggravated his calf during the game.

An initial scan showed no obvious problem but a subsequent check revealed a small tear brought on from that match.

Clarke will not be considered for the Checkatrade Trophy tie with Cambridge next Wednesday. Charlton's visit to Valley Parade could also come too soon for him.

McCall said: "Hopefully Billy will be in and around the squad for the Charlton game. It will be four weeks by then. But we will have to assess him nearer to the time."