The Football League have turned down Bradford's request for a loan replacement
The Football League have told Bradford City they cannot bring in a replacement for recently departed loan player Neil Roberts.
Striker Roberts, who had been on loan at Valley Parade from Wigan Athletic since mid-September, was recalled to his club in order to complete a move to Doncaster Rovers.
The Bantams contacted the Football League asking permission for a replacement but were turned down - with the League saying that Bradford already have 18 players on their books who are eligible to play.
They also said that Roberts would count as one of the eight loan players each league club is permitted per season - even though the loan period was cut short.
This decision could provide Bradford mamager Colin Todd with a headache when looking to boost his squad: City are currently in administration, a situation which is preventing the club signing players on a permanent basis.
However Todd attempted to play down the situation, and revealed that Bradford have received a boost with the news that striker Dele Adebola has agreed to remain on loan from Coventry for a third month.
"It is nothing urgent yet because we have Dele to come in alongside Dean Windass, but it would have been good to be able to keep up the competition," he told the club's official website.
