City this afternoon plugged their striking gap with a double coup - but they also lost full back Nathan Doyle.

The talented teenager, on loan from Derby, was today set to join Hull for a six-figure fee and the Bantams were powerless to prevent it.

But the disappointment at losing another key player in the wake of the departures of Dean Windass and Jermaine Johnson was eased by the loan capture of experienced Bruce Dyer from Doncaster and Southend's Billy Paynter.

They also snapped up young French left back Kelly Youga from Charlton during a hectic day of activity ahead of tonight's midnight transfer window deadline.

All three players will arrive on a month's loan, although that could be increased to three if City want to take up that option.

The trio are likely to go straight into the squad for Saturday's attractive home clash with Nottingham Forest.

The loss of Doyle came as a shock to City, who only found out about the deal early this afternoon after Derby revealed they had accepted a bid from their Championship rivals.

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