If Bradford City are to lose Nahki Wells during the transfer window, Phil Parkinson, his manager, would rather it be sooner rather than later.

Bermudian striker Wells missed Bradford’s match away to bottom club Notts County on New Year’s Day because of a tight hamstring.

Bradford suffered a 3-0 defeat to drop to twelfth in Sky Bet League One, seven points away from the play-offs.

Bradford have picked up only one point from four games over the Christmas period, with their top scorer tipped to move in this transfer window.

A number of clubs, including Leeds United and Huddersfield Town in the Championship, are rumoured to be interested. Queens Park Rangers are also said to be keen on the player.

They are targeting a striker during the transfer window to maintain their push for a quick return to the Premier League. QPR are third in the standings, while Leeds sit eighth and Huddersfield thirteenth.

Parkinson wants a deadline imposed on the future of Wells so he can have time to rebuild the club.

“The key to it is that I’d like it resolved early one way or another,” Parkinson told the Bradford Argus and Telegraph.

“Obviously, there are players out there who are available and who we’re looking at should Nahki go. I’ve got to do that in terms of making sure we are covered if that scenario should happen. What concerns me is if the window draws to a close and he goes right at the end of it. Then the players who are possibly available we might lose.

“The best scenario is that we keep him because he’s a terrific goalscorer. But we’ve got to make sure we get it right.

“We’ve got to start winning games of football. The speculation about whether Nahki is going or staying has been going on for quite a long time now; since last summer. We need to get it resolved.”

Wells was sorely missed at Meadow Lane, where City were given a clinical lesson in taking chances. County scored with three of their four shots on target, including two late goals.

Parkinson admitted he got his tactics wrong as he chased an equaliser. “Quite often I’ve thrown caution to the wind in games and we’ve got back in them,” he said. “I’ve got to hold my hand up.

“It wasn’t a 3-0, but I’ve left a team that were feeling leggy and too exposed with three at the back. Hindsight’s wonderful, but it probably wasn’t the right thing to do.

“We just had to get another goalscorer on the pitch. Unfortunately, we got punished for that.

“At 1-0, we had a couple of great chances, but over the course of the 90 minutes we didn’t create enough.

“I’m really disappointed and I feel for the fans as much as myself. It’s a tough run we’re on, but all we can do is work hard to get back to winning ways.”