Phil Parkinson wants a deadline imposed on the future of Nahki Wells so he has time to rebuild City without him.

The Bantams missed their injured top scorer in yesterday’s depressing 3-0 loss at Notts County – a defeat which meant they collected one point from the four holiday games.

Wells is tipped to move during the transfer window, with a host of clubs – among them Leeds and Huddersfield – chasing his signature.

But Parkinson wants it sorted quickly to avoid being left in limbo.

The City boss said: “The key to it is that I’d like it resolved early one way or another.

“Obviously there are players out there who are available and who we’re looking at should Nahki go.

“I’ve got to do that in terms of making sure we are covered if that scenario should happen.

“What concerns me is if the window draws to a close and he goes right at the end of it. Then the players who are possibly available we might lose.

"The best scenario is that we keep him because he’s a terrific goalscorer. But we’ve got to make sure we get it right. We’ve got to start winning games of football.

“The speculation about whether Nahki is going or staying has been going on for quite a long time now, since last summer. We need to get it resolved.”

Wells, currently sidelined with a tight hamstring, was sorely missed at Meadow Lane as City were given a clinical lesson in taking chances. The home side scored with three of their four shots on target, including two right at the end.

Parkinson admitted: “Quite often I’ve thrown caution to the wind in games and we’ve got back in them. I’ve got to hold my hand up.

“It wasn’t a 3-0 but I’ve left a team that were feeling leggy too exposed with three at the back. Hindsight’s wonderful but it probably wasn’t the right thing to do.

“We just had to get another goalscorer on the pitch. Unfortunately we got punished for that.

“At 1-0 we had a couple of great chances but over the course of the 90 minutes we didn’t create enough.”

Parkinson started Garry Thompson up front with James Hanson and employed Jason Kennedy wide on the right instead of Mark Yeates.

He added: “The pitch was always going to be heavy and I felt we needed to strengthen that midfield department a bit with Jason.

“Thommo and Hans played really well at Preston together but I don’t think enough came of them this game. Too many times we didn’t retain the ball up there.

“I’m really disappointed and I feel for the fans as much as myself. It’s a tough run we’re on but all we can do is work hard to get back to winning ways.”