CITY could have new signings Dominic Poleon and Paul Taylor available for tomorrow’s opener against Blackpool.

While number one striker Charlie Wyke is ruled out recovering from a hamstring tear, boss Stuart McCall is more hopeful on two of his other attacking players.

Neither Taylor nor Poleon featured in City’s last two pre-season friendlies due to knocks and were not deemed ready for game-time in the development team training match at York in midweek.

But they have been back training and McCall said: “It’s good to have Dom and Tayls back joining in. We’ll evaluate them today and see where they are for the weekend.

“They are certainly going in the right direction and we’re hopeful to have one, if not both of them, available.”

McCall is also positive on Wyke’s recovery following his injury against Park Avenue in City’s opening pre-season friendly in early July, though he did not want to put a time frame on a likely comeback date.

The City boss said: “Tomorrow will come too early for Charlie but he is progressing nicely and chomping at the bit to get involved.

“He’s coming on strong and at some stage next week he will be back in full training hopefully.”

Work remains ongoing to bring in defensive reinforcements but McCall doubts that anything will happen before the Blackpool opener.

He is still hopeful of signing up Jordan Gibson, who has impressed while on trial. The City boss had hoped to finalise a deal earlier this week for the midfielder and said: “Hopefully in the next couple of days it will be tied up. I don’t think (the delay) is anything major.”

The player himself tweeted yesterday he hoped the deal would be done today.

Meanwhile, McCall has reacted to Gary Mackay’s calls in the media for Hearts to make a move for the City boss and his number two Kenny Black.

The long-serving former Hearts player has touted the Bantams management pair as the ideal duo to succeed Ian Cathro, who was sacked in midweek.

McCall said: “Gary knows me and Kenny from our time in Scotland. I believe he has said some complimentary things, which is always nice to hear, but it doesn’t affect me. I take it with a pinch of salt.”

Among the early candidates for the job are former Hearts captain Paul Hartley, St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright and Partick Thistle’s Alan Archibald.