MARK Hughes flat-batted City’s links with Vadaine Oliver after today’s friendly with Derby.

Striker Oliver is keen to move nearer his northern roots following his Gillingham exit.

The Bantams are strongly rumoured to be in for him – with a picture on social media showing that he has been at the club.

But other than confirming that City’s business is not done after 12 signings, Hughes kept his cards close to his chest.

Hughes said: “There are a lot of players out there we are interested in. We’re having conversations with a lot of people.

“Some we’ve been able to progress and others less so. That’s how it is.

“It’s really important when we get to the window, we’ve got to be stronger than we are at the moment. I think we will be.

“I’m very hopeful that we will bring some more good players in. We’re not very far away from the group I’d feel comfortable with going forward but it’s not done yet.

“We’ll keep having those conversations and get a few more over the line.

“I didn’t really answer that did I!”

City were beaten 2-0 by their League One visitors with first-half goals from Craig Forsyth and Tom Barkhuizen. But Hughes was happy with the step-up in standard after the training camp in Murcia.

“It was exactly what we needed at this stage of the pre-season period,” he added. “We wanted to improve the level of opposition we were up against and the fitness that we’re at.

“We had a good week in Spain. Travelling yesterday maybe took an edge out of us and we took a while to get going but I was pleased with what I saw.

“Players were trying to implement what we talked about when we were away. I enjoyed it, sun was shining, grass was green, it was great.

“Everyone who played today gave a good account of ourselves. We’ve got good players to come back into the group and we’re still missing a few.”

Timi Odusina and Romoney Crichlow were among those not involved against the Rams.

Hughes said: “There were a couple we were missing who we’re just being a little bit careful with. They just got a little bit of a strain during the week so we’re just trying to protect them.”