Willy Topp has told Stuart McCall he wants to stay at City.

The Bantams boss had clear-the-air talks with the striker yesterday after the club received phone calls from sources representing the Chilean saying he wanted to leave.

Topp, who was left out of the squad to face Huddersfield as a result, has told the manager he now wants to fight for his place.

McCall said: “Unfortunately one or two people have been filling his head with nonsense and unsettling him.

“It’s confused him and I understand that. It’s easy done when you’re young. Even British lads get their heads turned by certain people. I think he’s had some bad advice but I’m not one to say ‘you’ve burned your bridges and off you go’.”

“When I heard he wasn’t happy I had to hear it from the horse’s mouth.

“If a player doesn’t want to be here – regardless if it’s Peter Thorne, Graeme Lee or anyone else – then I’ll never stand in their way.

“But Billy says he does want to be here and fight for his place and that’s all well and good for me.”

The 22-year-old has endured a frustrating start to his Valley Parade career after becoming the first player City paid a fee (£35,000) for in six years last December.

He got off to a flyer on his full home debut, inspiring the Bantams to a 4-2 win over Shrewsbury.

But he has struggled to make a big impact since then and has yet to score for City.

He was not helped by a calf condition which prevented him from finishing a single league game but has had an operation in the summer to cure that problem.

Barry Conlon was given the nod alongside Thorne in City’s opener at home to Notts County and the arrival of the Boulding brothers has intensified competition up front.

But hopes remain high that he can realise the potential he has shown in glimpses.

McCall added: “He’s got the ability without a doubt. In his mind, he just wants a goal but he has not to get desperate and got to stick in there.

“His calf injuries are past and he’s a good level of fitness but, because I have strong options at the moment, he must fight for his place and hopefully when it comes along he will take it.”