STUART McCall revealed how much City have missed Charlie Wyke as they look to find the right attacking formula.

McCall's men managed only two shots on target as Blackburn became the first visiting side to beat them in the league at Valley Parade for 32 games.

The one bright spot from Saturday's 1-0 loss was Wyke's appearance from the bench after five weeks out with a torn hamstring.

McCall said: "We can't put everything on a player like Charlie. But even in the last 20 minutes he lifted the crowd, won free-kicks, backed in (to defenders), we got further up the park and caused a bigger threat.

"There's no doubt we've missed him. For all the young potential players we've got, we sometimes need a focal point.

"I promised the physio I wouldn't give him any more than 20 minutes. I don't think he even wanted me to put him on the bench.

"But I said he'd do as much work running in the morning with the physio as he would in 20 minutes for us."

McCall feels City lack a physical edge up front without the centre forward – and Blackburn's battle-hardened defence exposed that by mopping up against Dominic Poleon and Omari Patrick.

The 21-year-old Patrick has signed a new deal which will keep him at the club until 2020 as he develops his game.

McCall said: "It's a boost for him and gives him stability but it's what he does after that.

"You can't expect too much from him each game as he can be a little bit hit and miss because he's inexperienced.

"But he's a good worker and can do stuff that will get you off your seat.

"We just need to find a formula going forward and a way of playing where we can create.

"That's not his strength with his back to goal. If we were kicking down the middle, they were just putting 40-yard headers back.

"As soon as Charlie came on, even if he didn't win it, it was a matter of using his body. Balls are dropping, we're picking up seconds and we're on the front foot."

John Hendrie's son Luke has been mentioned as a possible back-up on loan to right back Tony McMahon. The Burnley defender was on pre-season trial with Phil Parkinson two years ago.

But the search for a right-sided centre half continues to frustrate. Leicester's under-23 captain Elliott Moore was reported to be the latest target but he has been loaned to their Belgian sister club OH Leuven.

McCall admitted: "There's no doubt it is difficult having two left-footers (at centre half). Blackburn were bright enough to stand on (Matt) Kilgallon and let Nat (Knight-Percival) have it.

"He comes out on his wrong side, which is not natural for him, so we can't play. We have to kick it long and we haven't got a physical presence up front.

"We have to try and get Tony Mac on the wing and play from there. It's a bitty, gritty game and not something we enjoy.

"I wouldn't say we're struggling but we're trying to find a way at the minute. There are reasons why we haven't clicked going forward."