City could be in position to splash the cash on a player for the first time in six years.

Stuart McCall is still looking to add to his squad on the eve of the League Two kick-off.

McCall is in the market for at least one more winger and a striker to give City the cover needed for their anticipated promotion push.

Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes has not dismissed the possibility of the club paying a transfer fee. That has not happened since Jim Jefferies spent £100,000 on Andy Tod from Dunfermline in November 2001.

Rhodes said: "It's something that may or may not happen before the end of August. We're not just signing up anybody but there is still room in the budget.

"We spoke to Stuart from the outset when we told him the budget. He could spend money on transfer fees but it all comes off the final total.

"It's down to what Stuart decides. If the right player comes along, obviously within reason, then we wouldn't rule it out."

City have pocketed an unexpected £37,500 windfall - thanks to Leeds' demise.

They have profited from a ten per cent sell-on clause for England youth international Ben Gordon.

The 16-year-old left back, who left Valley Parade for Leeds in 2004, has turned down a scholarship to join Chelsea for £375,000 - which meant a welcome slice for the Bantams.

Rhodes said: "I spoke to the Football League to ask what was happening because of the situation at Leeds.

"They confirmed that the player had been sold and confirmed that we were getting our ten per cent - and the cheque arrived on my desk about half an hour later.

"Ideally you'd like to keep your good young players but if they do go to another club, the idea is that any transfer money we get out of the youth system we put straight back into the running of it."

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