BRADFORD CITY AFC

Bantams midfielder Matthew Dolan has returned to Hartlepool United this Thursday after joining the League 2 side on loan.

Dolan, 21, has signed up with Pools until the end of December.

The Hartlepool-born midfielder spent the first half of last season on loan at Victoria Park from Championship side Middlesbrough.

He was recalled by 'Boro in January before spending the latter part of the campaign on loan at the Coral Windows Stadium. Dolan then signed permanently with the Bantams during the summer.

He has only nine appearances for Phil Parkinson's side so far this season, however.

Two of them have come from the start, both in cup ties (Morecambe - Capital One Cup and Oldham Athletic - Johnstone's Paint Trophy).

In a busy afternoon for the Bantams, City were close to completing the signing of an experienced winger on loan but unfortunately the deal couldn't be finalised before Thursday's 5:00pm deadline.