CITY’S summer signing spree will not bust the budget, Gary Bowyer today insisted.

The Bantams boss has captured nine new players up to now as he revamps the squad to tackle League Two.

Owner Stefan Rupp has set a £2.5m wage bill for the coming season and City must keep within the strict spending constraints placed on clubs in the fourth tier.

“We have to keep within budget,” said Bowyer. “You’re not allowed not to.

“The rules are tighter in League Two than they are in League One because of the percentage reduction.

“The deals that we’ve done have met the budget because we have to comply.”

Under the EFL’s financial rules, clubs must stick to the Salary Cost Management Protocol which limits spending on players wages to a percentage of the club turnover. The limit for League Two is 50 per cent – five down on League One.

Bowyer has stressed that recruits must have the right character to help restore City’s fortunes and has been pleased with the deals struck.

He added: “A lot of credit has obviously got to go to Stefan and Julian (Rhodes) for their support.

“It’s been busy in terms of the amount of phone calls and the due diligence you do on the players. It’s been tough but it’s been enjoyable getting the right ones in.

“I lost out on one player and that was (down to) money. I didn’t have a problem with that.

“I understand it’s a short career and that. But if he didn’t want to come and play for the club for the right reasons, I’m glad they didn’t come.

“We’ve started training now with 21 outfield players including James Vaughan. Every manager will tell you they want a couple more and I’m no different.

“There are one or two areas where we could do with strengthening. That’s what we’re working hard to try and do now.”

Vaughan’s arrival this week following on from Clayton Donaldson has raised expectation levels among fans – and Bowyer believes can help attract other targets.

“Not being disrespectful to the others, but we’ve had a couple of big-name signings that were playing their football in the Championship last year.

“That does obviously give everybody a lift, not just on the training ground but in the whole club and the city as well.

“Then you’ve got the knock-on effect that it does make other people look in and think ‘I wouldn’t mind a piece of that’.”

Meanwhile, Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has revealed that City and Crewe both wanted midfielder Callum Cooke on loan. But Posh are only interested in selling him.