Angry Benito Carbone today described as "rubbish" reports that he has an escape clause in his contract in the event of Bradford City's relegatation.

The 28-year-old Italian striker said: "I don't understand the rumours about me. The papers want to cause trouble for Bradford City as well. I am angry.

"There was a paper at the training ground yesterday and I read another in the taxi on the way back to my hotel, but I don't talk about what they put in the papers. All I want to do is to prepare my fitness to play for Bradford City.

"If I signed a four-year contract with the club it is because I am happy to sign. It isn't true that I have a clause in my contract that says I can leave Bradford City if they are relegated. That is rubbish.

"I don't want to talk like that after a few days here. It is bad for the fans to read that sort of thing in the newspapers.

"If I put that in the contract people would think I didn't trust the club, but I wouldn't put anything like that in the contract.

"I am happy to play here. I am also happy with the squad of players we have got. Everyone wants to play and enjoy the season and to do the best we can on the pitch.

"I never think about Bradford City being relegated this season. I believe in the team, the chairman and the manager and we will all do our best for the club and the fans.

"I think Bradford City will get better every season and I am confident about our prospects. I just want to enjoy myself. I don't want any trouble."

Chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "Benito is angry because he has read these stories in the papers.

"He believes they are a complete and total fabrication of the truth, but he wants to do his talking on the football field."

Richmond is more optimistic about City's chances of signing Blackburn Rovers striker Ashley Ward.

The clubs agreed a £1.5m fee last week, but the player and Blackburn have been in talks for the last few days discussing the money due to Ward under his contract if he left.

Richmond said: "They have made further progress and it now appears we will be sitting down with him tomorrow to discuss personal terms."

City are hoping that Ian Nolan and Dan Petrescu come safely through their internationals tonight. Petrescu plays for Romania against Poland, while Nolan is with Northern Ireland for the friendly in Yugoslavia.