Bradford City striker Isaiah Rankin has gone on loan to First Division Bolton.

When the three-month loan deal was first proposed yesterday morning, Rankin turned it down for personal reasons.

But the 22-year-old player had second thoughts later in the day and he was lining up for injury-hit Bolton in today's Lancashire derby against newly-promoted Burnley.

Rankin joined City from Arsenal two years ago in a £1.3m deal, but he has never been able to hold down a regular first team place and his chances appear to be limited again in the new season.

Rankin's move came just hours after City striker Lee Mills joined Portsmouth in a £1m deal.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have acted quickly to cure a potential safety problem at the end of the ground where City fans will be accommodated at the first Premiership match of the season next Saturday.

They have also apologised for any disruption the extra safety work will cause to City fans.

Engineers were called in by the club after a potential problem was discovered at a testimonial match at the end of last season.

It is understood that the upper level of the Anfield Road stand was found to be moving slightly as fans jumped up and down during the fixture against Celtic on May 16.

A Liverpool City Council spokesman said the council and the club work closely together "on a zero risk policy" and that Liverpool have announced that three pillars will be added to the structure of the stand.

This will result in the loss of 15 seats but obstruct the view of a further 99.

City have returned to Liverpool 150 of the best seats still available for the

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use of 114 displaced supporters and their families. Those affected will be given a new seat on their arrival at Anfield.

The club say: "Liverpool were only made aware of the requirement on Wednesday and apologise in advance for any disturbance Bradford City fans may encounter on the day of the game."

Meanwhile, chairman Geoffrey Richmond has expressed surprise at the slow take-up of tickets for the match.

City asked for 3,000 tickets in the expectation they would sell, but with only a week to go before the match they still have about 600 of their allocation left although they have had to return 150 to Liverpool because of the stand problems.

So far, ticket sales have been restricted to season ticket holders, but from Monday they will go on general sale.

Richmond said: "We were offered the choice by Liverpool as is normal throughout the Premiership 1,900 tickets on a sale or return basis or 3,000 on a guaranteed sale. This means that any unsold tickets will have to be paid for by the club whether we sell them or not.

"I am now confident we will sell them, but I am surprised there has not been a more enthusiastic response for an attractive fixture like Liverpool although I do recognise that it is holiday time and it is expensive."

Meanwhile, striker Isaiah Rankin has gone on loan to First Division Bolton after all.

When the three month loan deal was first proposed yesterday morning, Rankin turned it down for personal reasons with the expectation that he would agree to it next week.

However, the 22-year-old player had second thoughts later in the day and he was lining up for injury-hit Bolton in today's Lancashire derby against newly promoted Burnley.

Rankin joined City from Arsenal two years ago in a £1.3m deal, but he has never been able to hold a regular first team place and his chances appear to be limited again in the new season.

As reported in later editions of the T & A, striker Lee Mills has joined Portsmouth in a £1m deal after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

City have agreed to play a friendly match at Guiseley next Tuesday (7.30). Guiseley were due to play Derby County, but they withdrew because of international calls.

City have agreed to play a friendly match at Guiseley next Tuesday (7.30). Guiseley were due to play Derby County, but they withdrew because of international calls.