Matt Clarke remains a major doubt for the trip to Coventry this weekend with Bradford City boss Paul Jewell saying the goalkeeper's condition has improved only slightly.

The 26-year-old has not played since suffering a knee ligament injury agai-nst Watford in January although he was expected to return to face Leeds in last weekend's derby clash.

However Clarke slipped down stairs at home the night before the game to aggravate the injury which meant that Neville Southall was plunged into Premiership action at the age of 41.

City have since moved to sign Aidan Davison from Sheffield United and if Clarke is unavailable he will step in at Highfield Road with Southall as cover on the bench.

Jewell said: "Matt is a little bit better than he was at the weekend but he is obviously still a doubt for the Coventry game on Saturday.

"We are pleased that Aidan is now on board. It was an unfortunate weekend and when Matt had his accident, you started to wonder what have we done to deserve this.

"Aidan realised he had made a mistake but all that is in the past. We are now looking forward. Aidan has done well and that is why we wanted to sign him."

Meanwhile, the City boss is looking for his side to bounce back from the cruel defeat at home to Leeds and build on their last away outing when Jewell's men earned a point at Tottenham.

Jewell went to watch Coventry last night when they beat Everton 1-0 at home with a goal four minutes from time from former Leeds United and Scotland captain Gary McAllister.

Jewell said: "It is important that we keep picking up points on the road, particularly with us losing at home last Sunday for the first time in a few months.

"When we played Coventry at home, they looked a very good side and we did well to battle back for a point. But it shows what a hard league this is because even with so many good players, they have been sucked towards the bottom of the Premiership.

"Even though they have been through a rotten run of form lately, it will not be an easy game because of the players they have.

"Despite that, we will travel full of confidence. I think we have progressed enormously as the season has gone on. We have to continue that form.

"It won't be easy but we travel full of confidence to face Coventry."

Chairman Geoffrey Richmond said today he had 'no knowledge' of reported interest in winger Lee Sharpe from Huddersfield, Bolton, Fulham or Burnley.

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