Danny Cadamarteri's City career is on hold unless he agrees to delay an appearance bonus in his contract.

One more game for the club will take Cadamarteri to 30 and entitle him to an extra £1,000 a week.

But City are unwilling to do that because of the injury doubts surrounding the striker.

Cadamarteri is recovering gradually from tendinitis in his knee and last week played for the reserves - his first outing in nearly three months. But he did not feature at all in the squad in Saturday's 2-0 win over Ipswich.

If he does need an operation, it could sideline the former England under-21 international for up to a year.

Chairman Gordon Gibb said: "We wouldn't begrudge Danny that money in the normal run of things if we could guarantee he is fit but we don't know.

"There is an element of trial and error. We don't want to take the risk of playing him for one game and then ending up paying an extra £1,000 every week for another three years of his contract if he is going to be out long-term with an operation.

"I wouldn't like to think it keeps Danny on the subs' bench indefinitely but it's a massive decision for club and player.

"There are long, hard conversations to be had with his people. We are not prepared to take a considerable financial gamble and we would like a letter agreeing to put this contract clause on ice.

"We've spent a lot of time and effort diagnosing the problem. We've brought in experts who have written report after report about him.

"It's a biomechanical issue and an imbalance we are trying to rectify. But if we don't, then it will mean Danny going under the knife which will involve long-term rehabilitation."

The Cadamarteri impasse mirrors the appearance wrangle over Andy Tod. The Scot, loaned to Dundee United, cannot play for City again or they will have to shell out £25,000 to Dunfermline.

Gibb added: "Cadamarteri's people have to meet us halfway. I'm just asking for some assurances that they won't force this issue to be crystalised until we are convinced he will be part of the first-team squad for the rest of the season.

"It's not that we are penny-pinching. Danny is entitled to the money because it is written in his contract and it will get paid when we are in a better position to do so.

"But I won't gamble on this. The gambling days are over at Bradford City."

City reserves match at home to Manchester City fell victim to the freezing weather yesterday and has been rearranged for tonight (7.00).