Peter Taylor is gutted to see Lee Hendrie quit City – but refused to point the finger at the board.

Taylor admitted that he could not afford to keep the former Premier League star for the rest of the season after going over budget.

Hendrie left Valley Parade at the weekend and was not involved in the much-needed 2-1 win at Lincoln.

Taylor was sad to see him walk away but felt City had no other choice.

He said: “I can’t blame the club on that one. It’s a bit of both.

“I knew when Lee came in that I’d already overspent. To be fair, we needed to be higher in the table to go on from there again.

“I can’t complain about the two chairmen. The backing they have done has been absolutely first class.

“Lee’s still an excellent player and I must admit I’m really down to let him go. We just couldn’t go to the level Lee was looking for.

“I’ve known him a long time, he’s a lovely lad and I was desperate to give him a bit more work. But I’m sure there’s somebody out there that will do.”

City face Bury at Valley Parade this afternoon in the top half of the table again after Saturday’s victory pulled them to within three points of the last play-off spot.

Strikers James Hanson and Gareth Evans netted before half-time but the Bantams made it hard work for themselves in the closing stages.

Taylor said: “If Lee Hendrie had been playing, he’d have kept the ball more for us. That’s where you need your clever, experienced players that don’t get flustered.

“It could have ended 2-2 and we’d have all been going in absolutely berserk again. But that’s the season we’re having.

“If you’re on a good run, you play better, keep the ball better and give yourself less problems. But I thought we looked very good on setpieces.”

Lee Bullock took a knock on his return, which is likely to mean an immediate recall for Tommy Doherty in midfield.

But Omar Daley is ready to start after making a surprise appearance from the bench on Saturday. He had been expected to miss out with a stiff knee.

Taylor said: “We had some good news on Friday when the swelling had gone down. The scan showed no problem and he felt all right.”

Bury netted twice in the last seven minutes to rescue a point against Macclesfield on Saturday.

City battled their way to three points at Gigg Lane in November and Taylor knows what to expect again.

He said: “It’s a big test for us. They are probably the best team we’ve played against and we’ve got to be up for it.”