Last-minute negotiations are trying to ensure Nicky Law has enough strikers to get him through Christmas.

With Ashley Ward unlikely to recover in time from his ankle and knee injuries, the Bantams are hoping for an 11th-hour deal to keep Delroy Facey, pictured, at Bradford.

Although the Bolton striker's original loan period had expired, Law is keen to keep the striker at the Bradford & Bingley Stadium. With Bolton taking on Leeds last night, Sam Allardyce was unavailable but chief executive Shaun Harvey was hoping to complete a deal this morning to keep the forward at City until after the Grimsby Town game on New Year's Day.

This would help Law get through the busy festive period where his side will play four matches in just ten days.

"I think he did well in his first game for us," said Law. "But he is capable of a lot more and I have told him that. I think he could be a very good player for us."

Securing Facey's extension would be vital for the Bantams with Law conscious of how hard it would be to find yet another emergency replacement for his injury-ravaged squad.

"It is very difficult to bring players in at this time of year," said Law, delighted with his side's return to winning ways at the weekend.

"With so many games over the festive period sides are not willing to let players go so the chances of getting someone else are pretty small."

Meanwhile, Ashley Ward is slowly working his way back to fitness and will return to full training towards the end of this week.

With no reserve game until the New Year, Law is hoping to give his powerful front man a run-out on Thursday in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

Ward last appeared at Brighton on November 2 when he suffered knee and ankle injuries, and his comeback was delayed when he pulled a calf while doing a warm-down run before the Sheffield United game.

Bradford-born Harpal Singh, on loan from Leeds, has now returned across West Yorkshire.