He was the loan signing that didn’t manage to get on the pitch on Tuesday.

The Valley Parade faithful got a good look at wingers Adam Reach and – all too briefly – Kyle Bennett and liked what they saw.

Chris Atkinson was part of that audience as an unused sub and is likely to keep the bench role at Molineux tomorrow.

But the Huddersfield midfielder has promised City fans they will be seeing plenty of him when the call does come.

Atkinson has joined the ranks with a reputation for popping up in both penalty boxes – something he is keen to do in the claret and amber.

“I like to gamble and get in the box looking for flick-ons off the striker,” he said.

“That’s how I can get some shots off and fingers crossed, the goals will come.”

For all the remarkable efforts of the ageless Gary Jones, that type of player has been noticeably lacking in City’s line-up.

They have been crying out for someone supporting the front men to be there on the spot for picking up the penalty-area scraps from the likes of James Hanson.

Halifax-born Atkinson, who has been on the Terriers’ books since he was seven, scored five goals in 15 games for Chesterfield last season doing exactly that.

He got another three during the first half of this campaign while playing regularly for Tranmere.

“I’ve come here to try and get in the box as much as I can. I want to get some goals for Bradford.

“Just watching James Hanson in training, he has looked very sharp. Hopefully I can build up a bit of an understanding with him when I get my chance.”

Atkinson was an ever-present for Ronnie Moore’s Rovers, including that controversial 1-0 win at Valley Parade which was dominated by the unpunished elbow that Ian Goodison planted on Kyel Reid.

“There was a lot happening that day,” admitted Atkinson diplomatically. “It was a bit of a smash and grab.

“But that’s football. It wasn’t the best of games and you get 1-0 wins like that and move on. But I’m here now and fully focused on doing the job for Bradford City.

“What really struck me was the crowd. They were fantastic.

“I went away from that game thinking ‘wow’ about the size of the stadium and the number of people there.

“So when I got the chance to come here, I grabbed it with both hands.”

With Atkinson’s contract at Huddersfield up in the summer – and no suggestion of a new deal – he is effectively playing for the opportunity to stick around next season.

But he is well accustomed to the nomadic lifestyle of the loan player – this is his fourth.

He said: “The more you do it, the easier it becomes. I’m well used to it now.

“The first day is always a little bit daunting but it’s fine after that.

“It helps having others in the same boat and I know Reach quite well from when I played at Darlington.

“The lads have welcomed us with open arms, which is what you want as a new player.

“But you get to January and people are coming in and out (of the squad). That is part and parcel of the game.”