CITY’S defensive manhunt will step into overdrive after losing Adam Chicksen for at least a fortnight.

Stuart McCall already felt that cover at the back was thin on the ground before the left back was stretchered off with a head injury in the season-opener against Blackpool.

Football Association guidelines say that players who have suffered concussion should undergo an initial rest period of 14 days before they can even consider a return.

That will rule out Chicksen for at least the next three games and put a strain on the area of the City team with the fewest back-up options.

Sources in London suggest that the Bantams are set to make a move for Brentford left back Tom Field, and McCall admitted: “We are lacking a couple of defenders. A right-sided centre half obviously and now it’s more urgent that we get another one in as well.

“With Chicksen out for a couple of weeks, it’s vital now.

“Killa (Matt Kilgallon) doesn’t relish playing as a left back, although Blackpool didn’t have an out-and-out winger and he did terrifically well.

“There’s nobody on the horizon and we’ll have to work hard in the next 24 to 48 hours to get somebody in. That will become the priority.”

Chicksen suffered damage to a cheekbone but hospital tests on his head proved fine and he was able to go home on Saturday night. McCall was relieved to see he was okay.

“At the stage you saw him going off, football became irrelevant. Thankfully the scans have shown everything is clear.

“It was a bit flat after that and certainly in the dressing room at half-time.

“The lads were asking about him so we had to give them a shake and we went out and got the win for him in the end.”

On a day of firsts, Omari Patrick made it a debut to remember with the second-half clincher after Nathaniel Knight-Percival had earlier broken his scoring duck.

With Charlie Wyke still sidelined, the emergence of Patrick has provided a timely lift for McCall, who revealed the young striker had been in his plans for some time.

The City boss said: “Omari was almost the first name on the team sheet.

“Since he came away with us to Austria, not just his attitude, but his ability, his strength, power and pace have been great.

“He’s a lovely lad and it’s a great start for him but he’s set the bar for himself. He’s got to maintain that and keep his feet on the ground, which I’m sure he will.

“We’ve got to coach him, like we have to do with Shay (McCartan) and Jonesy (Alex Jones). They need help from us on the coaching side to get them into certain areas where we want.

“Omari has got a lot of work to do and he knows that. But without building him up too much, he deserved his chance and he took it.

“It’s a great start for him but it’s only a start. He’s got to do that week in, week out.

“Age isn’t a thing. Young or old doesn’t matter, as long as you’re doing it on the park you’ll get a chance.”

Meanwhile, McCall has once again played down the rumours linking him and assistant Kenny Black – who missed Saturday’s game through illness – with the vacant Hearts job.

He added: “It’s only speculation. I know nothing about it.

“Everyone knows me. I’m just focused on doing my job here and really enjoying it.”