CITY go back to pre-season training on Thursday still unsure whether Tony McMahon will be with them.

The out-of-contract defender's situation has yet to be finalised as Stuart McCall's squad prepare to return to Woodhouse Grove.

A new deal remains on the table but the 31-year-old has been targeted by other clubs.

Phil Parkinson was thought to be the frontrunner for McMahon's signature but his interest has cooled since Bolton captured former Bristol City right back Mark Little. His expected move for ex-City skipper Stephen Darby has also gone surprisingly quiet.

But Preston and Blackburn are still understood to be keen on McMahon, whose set-piece delivery from the right has been a regular feature in City's progress since signing in March 2015.

McMahon said last month that any deal to stay at Valley Parade would have to be right for his family.

City have been making contingency plans for his possible exit, with the likes of Manchester United youngster Joe Riley among those identified as potential replacements – although he has indicated he wants to stay and fight for a first-team place.

But until McMahon's position is confirmed, the Bantams may be reluctant to push too far ahead with any moves.

Head of recruitment Greg Abbott said: "I think Tony is looking at something else, if I'm honest. There's a lot of interest in Tony and he's got a decision to make.

"That's another reason why signing a right back at the minute becomes doubly difficult because you've got Tony's situation that needs resolving.

"We're waiting for decisions from them and then we can hopefully start putting the jigsaw back together."

If McMahon leaves, he would become the sixth player from the Wembley starting line-up to have moved on.

James Meredith was first to go when he joined City's play-off conquerors Millwall, Billy Clarke and Mark Marshall signed for Charlton while Rory McArdle went to Scunthorpe. Josh Cullen returned to parent club West Ham and is again being pursued by Parkinson.

City have added Adam Chicksen and Paul Taylor over the summer and are closing in on another couple of targets. McCall held talks with a possible signing yesterday.

Back-up goalkeeper Rouven Sattelmaier is also set to agree a new deal. Sattelmaier played eight times last season as understudy to Colin Doyle and the club believe he will accept the chance of a second year in the English game despite noises from his native Germany.

Abbott said: "Rouven is talking to the chairman and I would be hopeful something can be agreed. We think it has gone okay.

"We would like him in to start pre-season if possible but these things take a bit of time.

"I'm very impatient – like a fan at times – but I've learned not to make rash decisions. We'll get the right people in at the right time. I'll assure you we'll do that."