STUART McCall has revealed the strikers City have tried to sign as he backed his current frontmen to all hit double figures.

The Bantams boss still wants to add another attacker to his squad in the transfer window.

It is looking increasingly likely that he will look at a youngster from the Premier League on loan after missing out on more established names.

McCall confirmed that he held discussions with four potential replacements after giving up on keeping James Vaughan at Valley Parade.

Ian Henderson, who signed for Salford, Nicky Maynard, Kieran Agard and former loanee Jordy Hiwula were all considered.

McCall said: “When we were in from day one of pre-season, I spoke to James Vaughan at length trying to keep him.

“Since then, I’ve spoken to Henderson, Maynard, Agard and Hiwula. For various reasons, only one financial and all totally understandable to me, we’ve not been able to get them.

“I know the cliché of a 20-goal-a-season man and they all fit into that bracket.

“There’s a clamour maybe for a proven goalscorer but we’re in League Two.

“I understand the situation and we’re not sitting on our hands.

“But I’m more than confident that the three lads we’ve got at the moment, with the way we play, will be able to get into double figures.”

Untried Crystal Palace teenager John-Kymani Gordon has been mentioned and could be invited up for a trial in training.

McCall continues to search but is not obsessed with bringing in a proven striker.

He stressed that Nahki Wells, the last City player to break the 20-goal mark in 2013, was an unknown when he signed.

“Nobody had heard of him when he came into the club,” added the Bantams boss.

“If there isn’t a 20-goal a season man out there, then we’ve got to look at what is going to supplement what we’ve got. A bit of pace would be the answer.

“If you’re taking younger lads from clubs higher up the leagues, there is never any guarantee with them. But there was no guarantee when Nahki Wells signed.

“I’m happy with the people in the building at the moment. They will get goals for us the way we play.

“We need to add to that in another way and that might be a young, pacey striker. There will be a lot out there.

“While we are trying to add to the front ranks, it’s not desperation. It can be a waiting game.”

With a month left before the window shuts, there are growing concerns at whether City have enough goals in the squad to challenge this season.

McCall said: “Maybe it’s a bit of a kneejerk reaction because we didn’t score on Saturday.

“But look at Tranmere and Mansfield which was 0-0 and Maynard was on the bench. Bolton also got nil – there were a few teams who have got these strikers who didn’t score like us.

“When I look at (Lee) Novak’s chance he should have scored but look at the one we do score (and was disallowed for offside). It’s a lovely goal and a llovely finish.

“We’re well aware of the situation and we will also strengthen before the deadline in a couple of other areas. But we’ve got great faith and belief in the group we've got.”