Better buys

After finalising his team strengthening this week with the addition of Aussie back-rower David Boyle and the axing of a further four fringe players, Elliott believes his side are on course for a successful campaign.

"I am extremely happy with the recruiting we have been able to do. I think it gives us more quality throughout the squad and some extra attacking options which weren't there last season.

"In addition the average age of the side has come down considerably which puts us in very good shape for the future.

"Our three Aussies are perfect examples. Michael Withers is 22, Nick Zisti is 26 and David Boyle is 27.

"They have their best years ahead of them yet they also have a lot of experience in the strongest competition in the world.

"There is also a stronger look right across the squad and the competition for places is going to be intense."

Salary cap regulations have been a constant consideration as Elliott restructured his squad and have left him down on numbers.

But Elliott says: "I was sorry to have to move some players on because the ideal situation would be a squad of 26.

"But what we have now is more quality overall and there is encouragement for the youngsters to come through because their path is not blocked.

"The emergence of Paul Deacon, Stuart Fielden and Leon Pryce was a big plus for us last season. I am not saying we can expect three of that quality coming through every year but we certainly have others where they came from."

All three are included in Elliott's top squad for next season as well as exciting teenage recruit Lee Radford whose fee, following his move from Hull, is likely to be decided by a tribunal.

Ambitious chairman Geoff-rey Richmond has pledged that Bradford City boss Paul Jewell will be handed the funds to try and maintain the club's bid for a place in the Premiership.

The Bantams splashed out an unprecedented £3.3 million during the summer to recruit seven new players.

Those signings have helped transform City into genuine promotion challengers and they go into today's clash with Wolves sat in fifth position.

However it is clear that Jewell wants to strengthen his squad with bids being made for former Leeds defender Jon Newsome and Portsmouth's talented Sammy Igoe in recent weeks.

Richmond said: "We are one of the few teams in the division with actual money to spend and that could prove to be important. The secret, however, is going to be spending it wisely.

"The kitty we have for transfers is a flexible thing. We have about £1 million but if it needs to be a bit more than that, then so be it.

"Paul Jewell will play it very cautiously and only bring players to the club who he believes will improve the squad. It looks more like we will be signing two or three players rather than just one.

"The squad isn't the biggest at the moment and has been trimmed down quite considerably since the start of the season. Mind, it had to be because we needed to create the space for incoming players.

"We are pleased with our progress this season although we have won nothing yet. We don't want to do what so many Bradford City teams have done in the past and disappoint our fans."

City are still hoping to sign Igoe despite Jewell saying the deal had been put 'on hold' earlier this week.

The Bantams first enquired after the lively 23-year-old during the summer but after all the Pompey squad were put on the transfer list, they revived their interest this week.

Richmond said: "We are negotiating at the moment over Sammy Igoe. The deal will hopefully be brought to a conclusion some time next week, one way or the other.

"The great thing about Sammy Igoe is he is a utility player. He can play a whole number of positions. That is a great asset for any club."

Pompey manager Alan Ball rates Igoe at around £1.5 million but with Pompey now in deep financial trouble, the south coast club are having to off-load players at bargain prices.

Top scorer John Aloisi was recently sold to Coventry for just £650,000 - despite his 17-goals this season seeing him rated at around £2 million just a few weeks ago.

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