Bradford City could be set to smash their transfer record for the second time in a week after Arsenal reserve striker Isiah Rankin was linked with a £1.3 million move to Valley Parade.

The 20-year-old London-born player joined the Highbury club as a trainee four years ago and made his debut as a substitute in last season's Premiership clash with north London rivals Tottenham.

Rankin was also on the bench in two further Arsenal games - against West Ham and Crystal Palace - and was in Bradford yesterday.

Manager Paul Jewell would not comment on the speculation for the highly-rated youngster who played in several Gunners' pre-season games and scored in the 4-0 win over German side Offenbach Kickers.

Meanwhile, Jewell remains hopeful record signing Lee Mills will recover from an ankle injury to play at Watford on Saturday.

The Bantams £1 million signing was forced out of the action at half time during Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Lincoln City.

The City boss said: "It will be touch and go for Lee. He won't train today but we will leave it as late as possible to give him every chance. That could mean delaying the naming of the side until Saturday morning."

City will be without both Stuart McCall (ankle) and Lee Todd (groin) although Jewell was given a major boost by Edinho in yesterday afternoon's Pontin's League Division Two opener against Notts County.

The Brazilian, omitted from the starting line-up against Lincoln on Tuesday night, grabbed four goals as City romped into double figures with an amazing 10-2 victory.

City started at a blistering pace by notching seven goals in the first 37 minutes with some scintillating football which thrilled the Valley Parade crowd.

Edinho was in impressive form with all four goals scored in classic style. His first strike was a tap-in, the second a superb curled effort from the edge of the area and the third a deft header. The Brazilian's fourth goal came after Gordon Watson had shown great skill in the County penalty area to create an opening.

Watson also grabbed one goal with the other strikes coming from the impressive David Donaldson, Mark Bower, Andrew Patterson, Lee Walker and an own goal.

Gareth Grant shone on the left with his trickery before being withdrawn along with John Dreyer after just 26 minutes with City already 5-0 in front.

Jewell was delighted to see his side convincingly thrash County, who were relegated from the Pontin's League First Division last season.

"It doesn't matter what level you play at, it is always nice to play some good football and score goals. I think Edinho was just giving us a gentle reminder that he is still here and capable of scoring the goals.

"We have brought players into the club but they must earn the right to play in the first team. Edinho was left out against Lincoln and I think he has reacted in exactly the right way."

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