BRADFORD City head coach Michael Collins insists he is happy with his striker swap as the new season gets under way.

The summer-long Charlie Wyke transfer saga concluded on Wednesday night, when he left for League One rivals Sunderland for a fee in the region of £500,000 plus add-ons.

In a busy night of wheeler dealing, the Bantams signed hitman Eoin Doyle from Preston North End as his replacement for an undisclosed fee.

But Collins heaped praise on Wyke, saying he was professional throughout his pre-season at City as the transfer speculation mounted over his future.

He said: "I was aware over all of the speculation throughout the summer. We had known about the interest in Charlie for a long time.

"We were prepared for all types of eventualities, as both deals were agreed. If Charlie was going to leave, we were always going to replace him.

"It worked out well for both parties; both us and Sunderland. It was good to get both of the moves done in a day for both clubs. We had to make sure our own house was in order about the transfers.

"I never had a problem with Charlie whatsoever. I have nothing but respect for Charlie. He always conducted himself professionally.

"That is football; players will move and the club moves on.

"I am not overly concerned that Charlie has gone to another League One club. Sunderland will be up there and Charlie will add to that.

"We wanted to keep our focus on the football throughout the speculation, but the chairman has kept me in the loop throughout. I was kept well-informed. We communicated on a daily basis."

But Wyke will be a tough act to follow as he was a fans' favourite at City, scoring 23 goals in 62 games in all competitions. They will now be hoping for a similar impact from Doyle.

Out with the old and in with the new best summed up Wednesday night for City, with Collins full of praise for his new capture Doyle, who will wear the club's coveted number nine jersey.

The Dubliner arrives at Valley Parade with a strong reputation at League One level after scoring 16 goals in 34 appearances in a loan spell with eventually-relegated Oldham Athletic last season.

Doyle has enjoyed previous spells at Chesterfield, Cardiff City and Portsmouth.

But Collins said there is no rush to throw the 30-year-old into the mix against Shrewsbury Town, adding he has other good options up front which also include fellow new signing, George Miller, who joined City from a season-long loan.

Collins said: "When I met with Eoin he gave me all of the right signals. You have to take people with how you see them. He was very genuine.

"He has all of the right credentials. He knows this league. He was a no-brainer.

"Eoin is experienced too, which will help us.

"We will have a good look at him in training. There is no rush to throw him in. I don't want to just play him. George Miller has performed well over pre-season. We have a good mix up there at the moment.

"It is difficult for Eoin when he has not had a pre-season with us. He looks to be in shape. He is very lean."