LATEST: Preston defender Woods signs for Bradford City

CITY are looking to clinch a deal with a defender – as one prepares to leave Valley Parade.

Player talks were last night thought to be ongoing as David Hopkin aims to make a third signing of the transfer window.

Left back is believed to be one of the areas that City are trying to strengthen.

They are also looking to ease the wage bill by moving on the fringe players who are no longer in Hopkin’s plans.

And the Telegraph & Argus understands that Thomas Isherwood will be the next to leave Valley Parade today. He is expected to sign for a club in his native Sweden.

The centre half, who turns 21 next week, joined on a two-year deal in June having previously played for Bayern Munich’s B team.

But the former Swedish youth international started only two Checkatrade Trophy games and just once in the league - when he played left back in the 4-0 collapse at Gillingham in October.

Out-of-favour players Josh Wright, Alex Jones, Joe Riley and Jordan Gibson have all been told to look for other clubs.

With just over a week to go before the deadline, there is a suggestion that Wright is interesting City’s relegation rivals Oxford.

The former club captain was training at Apperley Bridge yesterday but he is being linked with Karl Robinson’s side.

Hopkin, meanwhile, insists City must buck up their defensive ideas for Saturday’s trip to Burton.

Having conceded just once in the five-game run up to New Year’s Day, they have leaked seven goals in the two defeats since.

“It’s where we were before,” admitted the Bantams boss. “Every mistake we’ve made over the last two games has got punished.

“When we were getting clean sheets, everyone knew to be organised, fit and fighting to work that bit harder.

“Southend scored three strikes that probably wouldn’t happen again in a game.

“We’ve got to take that because we’ve done it in December. We maybe weren’t playing as well in games but we scored three or four terrific goals.

“But we need to try and rectify things we haven’t done over the last two games.

“The problems have been the same since I came, not being as organised, not clearing our lines, not being that wee bit stronger mentally and physically.

“We need to train well again and get back to being organised for a very difficult game away to Burton on Saturday.”