CITY are not the club chasing Crawley striker Tom Nichols, the T&A understands.

Online reports claimed that the Bantams were keen on the 29-year-old frontman, who is out of contract the end of the season.

But that has been dismissed by Valley Parade sources.

Nichols was left out of Crawley’s weekend win over Swindon - their first game under new boss Matty Etherington, who said the decision was “out of his hands”.

Crawley’s director of football Chris Galley last night revealed that Nichols was taken out of contention after being the subject of “strong interest”.

He said: “Last week, we received an offer and some strong interest for Tom Nichols and we, as an organisation that believes in a collaborative approach, felt that this was an unnecessary distraction for Matthew’s first game in charge.

"Tom is a fantastic professional and continues to work hard and give his all to the club.”

The Crawley Observer today claimed that Colchester are keen on Nichols.