Robbie Blake has given Bradford City's survival bid a timely boost by promising to commit his future to the Bantams.

The 25-year-old striker was placed on the transfer list last summer after turning down a new contract with City.

Blake, who has 15 months left on his current deal, has struggled to hold down a regular place in the side this season, his last starting appearance coming in the defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in mid-January.

And after such a frustrating season, many expected Blake to quit Valley Parade during the summer.

But in an exclusive interview with the Telegraph & Argus, Blake revealed how he hopes to sign a new deal during the summer and end all the uncertainty over his future.

Under FA rules, clubs cannot agree contracts with players between the transfer deadline and the end of the season so no deal can be finalised until the summer.

Blake said: "Given the importance of the run-in to the end of the season, I felt the fans in particular should know that in my own mind, I have decided to put a difficult year behind me and do everything I can to help Bradford stay up.

"I have told the chairman and the manager that I feel I have been badly advised by people outside the club. I have promised that as soon as the season ends, we can finalise a new contract whatever happens.

"I never, at any time, wanted to leave the club because I have always been happy here. I am delighted that the manager and chairman both want me to stay.

"I really believe we can stay up, but even if the worst happens I will stay with the club in a bid to help them get straight back to the Premier League."

Blake's decision is an important move for such an important player whose form has been affected by the doubts which has hung over him since the summer.

City turned down a bid of £2.5 million for Blake from First Division Blackburn Rovers last August.

He started the season on the bench but went on to enjoy his best run of the season in late Autumn with the finest display coming in the 3-1 win over Leicester.

Manager Paul Jewell was delighted to receive such a timely boost ahead of this weekend's crunch clash with Southampton.

The City boss said: "I have always wanted Robbie to stay - that is why we refused a substantial offer for him.

"Hopefully Robbie can have a big part to play in keeping us up."

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