Phil Parkinson insists his own future will not take centre stage while City’s League Two campaign continues to falter.

The Bantams manager is expected to sign a new deal to stay at Valley Parade after rebuffing a “double your money” offer from Blackpool.

More talks with City are planned later this week, although Mark Lawn’s absence on compassionate leave could delay any decision.

City suffered their third loss in four league games on Saturday as Oxford won 2-1 with a late penalty and dropped to ninth – their lowest position since early September.

Parkinson stressed once again that he wants to stay put but is determined not to let the focus divert from on the field.

He said: “I’m happy here and I don’t want the contract talks to detract from what we are trying to do. It’s in the background at the moment and will take care of itself.

“I’m enjoying my time, Bradford are a really good club and there’s a lot of potential to keep improving.

“Julian (Rhodes) said we’d had an approach (from Blackpool) and would I like to speak to them.

“But my initial thoughts are that I’d have a chat with my wife but I’m happy here and enjoying it.”

With all his coaching staff also out of contract at the end of the season, securing Parkinson’s position remains a key requirement. Rhodes has talked about the need for some stability after the rocky events of the past decade.

Those talks are unlikely to be resolved straight away because joint-chairman Lawn is away from the club. His wife Yvonne goes into hospital today for a serious cancer operation.

Director of operations David Baldwin is also flying to Orlando for the NCAA football programme annual convention on behalf of RIASA, the American university scheme which is tied in with City.

Baldwin said: “On a personal note, it’s a really difficult situation. Yvonne is having an operation to follow up her cancer treatment and my heart is with the family.

“It’s been a week of real mixed emotions for Mark. There was the euphoria after the Aston Villa game but also a grave concern about what his wife is going to have to deal with.

“You can appreciate it’s a very hard time and our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family. We hope that has a positive outcome.

“My flights to America were booked months ago. It’s something I’m doing with my RIASA hat on but very much with the interests of Bradford City in mind.

“Things change quickly in football and with the situation with Phil it’s probably not the ideal time but it’s important for the forward planning of the football club. Other members of the senior staff are here so those discussions will be ongoing.

“Julian is obviously the lead person and is a more than capable and experienced person in that environment. But there are a lot of things coming together in a short space of time.

“Fans need to have some consideration that there are personal matters of significant importance.”