City are trying again for Charlton striker Paul Benson.

The Telegraph & Argus can reveal that the club have launched another attempt to take Benson, who has been in Phil Parkinson’s sights since he took over.

Charlton knocked back an enquiry for the 32-year-old before the end of the summer transfer window.

City got the impression then that the League One side would not be interested in loaning out the former Dagenham hitman and Parkinson said he would consider having another go for him when the window reopens in January.

But with Benson remaining out of the picture at Charlton, it now appears that the Bantams are sounding out the possibility of an emergency three-month loan deal with a view to making the move permanent after Christmas.

It is understood that City’s head of player development Archie Christie was in London yesterday to meet Charlton owner Tony Jimenez and executive vice-chairman Peter Varney.

Benson has told Charlton that he is keen to link up with his former Addicks boss at Valley Parade.

He has found himself a peripheral figure since Parkinson, who signed him 14 months ago, was sacked in January.

Chris Powell took over and oversaw a whirlwind summer reshuffle which saw 34 deals in and out of the club.

Benson is one of the few survivors from last season but has hardly featured so far.

He has played just eight minutes of league football, as a substitute in Charlton’s opening-day win over Bournemouth.

He did start both of their Carling Cup ties and scored in the first-round victory over Reading.

But he remains down the pecking order and, with his contract up at the end of the season, City are hopeful that a deal can be struck sooner rather than later.