DEREK Adams remains optimistic that City will have filled their striker hole by next week’s transfer deadline.

The clock is ticking for the Bantams to find another forward before the window shuts at 11pm on Tuesday.

It has become an urgent search since Lee Angol’s hamstring injury flared up again – leaving him facing the prospect of a lengthy spell out of contention.

“We’re going to continue trying and we’re doing that at this moment in time,” said Adams, who shot down links with Doncaster’s Omar Bogle earlier this week.

“But other clubs have to allow their players to come to us or we could strike a deal.

“The issue is two-sided. Does the club want to allow the player to come to Bradford City and does the player see his future here or elsewhere?

“We are in the market now because of the situation we’ve got and we will do our best to have one in by the 31st.”

Adams, who has made nine signings since taking over at City in June, would be happy to bring in a loan forward. There is scope to recruit another experienced player with the club under the EFL’s limit.

He added: “We can have a maximum of 20 players over the age of 21, excluding goalkeepers.

“They don’t count and there are quite a few younger ones in the squad at the moment so we’re well inside that.

“We’re open-minded whether it’s a loan or permanent.

“A loan would be perfect because it would help both sides but we’re happy to do either.”

Angol has joined a casualty list that still includes Oscar Threlkeld, Levi Sutton and Abo Eisa – none of whom will be available for the weekend trip to Leyton Orient.

Adams said: “We’ve got a squad of 24 players and you don’t really want any more than that.

“Take one more in, that’s 25, and you have to leave seven of the 18-man matchday squad throughout the season.

“You’re using money that you could have used elsewhere. But obviously we’re down to just 20 at this moment in time with the injuries.”

City are making the most of a full week of training after the traditionally hectic opening to the season.

Playing back-to-back midweek games from the start may have been a factor in the early injuries.

Adams added: “I think that is the case. If we’d had the League Cup on the Saturday before the start of the season, like we did last year, that would have been more beneficial rather than having to travel in midweek.

“But all the clubs were asked to vote for it and the majority didn’t.

“To have the League Cup so early is difficult for a lot of clubs as we know. We had to go to a Championship team (Nottingham Forest) and play at a high tempo.

“We had been away to Exeter on the Saturday and then we had a difficult game against Oldham.

“At this stage in the season, everyone is in a similar situation but we just have to get on with it.

“It’s always nice to play games but it’s just as good to have a free week to allow us to prepare fully for the next match.

“We have had a difficult period in terms of playing a lot of games at high tempo. The players have obviously been in good spirits coming off a very good result against Mansfield.”