STUART McCall insists speculation linking Mark Marshall with Charlton is “irrelevant”.
Sources in London have confirmed the Addicks are keen on the star winger, who is among the City first-teamers out of contract in the summer.
But McCall sees that as no distraction as the Bantams look to bank the point needed to guarantee a return to the play-offs.
He said: “It’s not surprising because Marsh has had a good season. But being linked at this stage of the season is irrelevant to anyone.
“We’re that near to the end and you just focus on what you can do.
“I’ve had it as a player, a coach and a manager at other clubs. I can understand when clubs decide to review contracts at the end of the season depending what league they are in – it happened to me at Rangers.
“It should have no effect on you as a player because you’re going out to either win a contract here or earn admirers elsewhere.
“If you’re playing well, you’ll get an offer of a contract here or an offer somewhere else.”
City aim to sign off their home league campaign tomorrow unbeaten by securing their play-off status against Wimbledon. McCall is confident of no hangover from Monday’s 3-0 loss at Bramall Lane.
McCall added: “The only good to come out of last week was that before the Sheffield United game we needed four points and now we need one. But that’s football.
“We’re not going to get too low and disappointed after the seven defeats we’ve had. Likewise we haven’t got over-excited after our 19 wins.
“Leave the over-reaction for other people. We’ve got our focus.
“We gave the boys a couple of days off with their families because I know they were hurting.
“We all take responsibility for last week’s result and performance but there’s no need for a knee-jerk reaction. We know what we’ve got to do.
“Wimbledon got promoted last year and have had a really solid season. We’ll pay them the respect due.
“I’m sure the supporters will back us from the first minute to the last like they have done. It might need a 93rd-minute goal like we got down there.”
James Meredith was yesterday named in the PFA League One team of the year – voted for by his fellow pros in the division.
“It’s a good honour for him and the club,” said his manager. “If you look at the left backs in this division, he’s up there at the top of the tree.
“There’s probably a shout (for more City players) and maybe two or three would have been near. But I don’t think you can argue with half the team from Sheffield United or the two Bolton centre halves – there have been a lot of good players in our league.”
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