Scunthorpe have moved to the front of the queue to sign City target Michael Boulding after he outlined his determination to test himself in League One.

Stuart McCall is among up to a dozen managers who have courted the 32-year-old former Mansfield marksman.

But as Lincoln appeared to withdraw from the race, Boulding, pictured, insisted he wanted to play at a higher level.

That would put Scunthorpe in pole position as they look for a replacement for £1.3million Burnley-bound Martin Paterson.

The Iron have already missed out on Nottingham Forest’s Grant Holt, who has signed for Shrewsbury.

McCall admitted on Friday that he will not wait forever for Boulding, who is currently sizing up his options while away on holiday.

The City chief remains keen on recruiting the striker, who bagged 25 goals last term for a relegated team, but is casting his net elsewhere in the meantime.

He will not have been encouraged by the report Lincoln assistant boss Iffy Onuora gave to Peter Jackson after the Imps spoke with Boulding last week.

Jackson said: “Michael made it clear that he would like to play as high as he possibly can, which is League One or above.

“Obviously that rules us out of the equation, which is a shame because I really wanted to bring him here – as well as many other managers in this league.”

The Bantams have already seen one summer target turn them down for Scunthorpe when winger Garry Thompson left Morecambe. Now they could be facing another transfer defeat to Nigel Adkins’ side.