Phil Parkinson has no fears that Nahki Wells can detach himself from the transfer talk and fully focus on City.

The in-demand striker is expected to be fit for selection for next week’s home clash with Bristol City after missing the New Year’s Day loss at Notts County.

Wells, who suffered a whack on the hamstring against Swindon, was sorely missed in a toothless display which extended City’s mid-season slump.

His Valley Parade future is looking increasingly uncertain, with a host of clubs registering their interest in the transfer window. City have already knocked back one offer.

Parkinson is realistic enough to know that Wells could be heading through the exit door within the next few weeks.

With the player’s reluctance to even discuss a contract extension, City will drive for the best deal possible before his market value starts to drop.

But while his top scorer remains at the club, the City chief needs Wells firing on all cylinders to help spark the side back into life.

And he has no concerns about the Bermudian’s concentration on the job in hand despite the constant speculation.

Parkinson said: “There’s nothing wrong with Nahki’s commitment at all and it won’t be a problem if he’s here. He’s not banging on the door to go.

“The chairmen, I know, would ultimately like to keep him but they are also realists and know if an offer comes in that they can’t turn down, they might have to take it for the benefit of the club moving forward.

“I wouldn’t say we’re actively trying to sell Nahki. We all want to keep him.

“Goals win games of football – the Notts County game was a classic example.

“We had good bits of play but when you have them you need to score. When you score it gives everyone a lift.

“We’re just lacking that extra bit of quality at the moment. We’re working hard all over the pitch but that needs to be rewarded and how it does is with a goal-scorer popping up and putting the ball in the back of the net.

“Obviously we miss Nahki Wells because he’s done that over the last two years for us. When you take his goals out of the team, he is difficult to replace.”

Parkinson wants an early resolution to the Wells situation to give him the opportunity to rebuild if the striker goes. But he knows that is difficult to enforce because of the unpredictable nature of the window.

“We all know where the parameters are but it’s just the timescale that is important,” he said.

“There are so many clubs who will be looking to strengthen. We’ve got to make sure we don’t lose out on both scenarios and that’s a balancing act we’ve got to get right.”