Bradford's players face fresh delay to payday

Bradford City's players have discovered that their wages will not be paid until 5 August, days before the start of the First Division campaign. The troubled Yorkshire club are finding it difficult to fund the salaries, including large amounts of back pay since they went into administration, and the delayed date poses fresh problems.

Bradford City's players have discovered that their wages will not be paid until 5 August, days before the start of the First Division campaign. The troubled Yorkshire club are finding it difficult to fund the salaries, including large amounts of back pay since they went into administration, and the delayed date poses fresh problems.

The Professional Footballers Association, who is loaning Bradford more than £1m to help a rescue attempt by the chairman Geoffrey Richmond, had told the disgruntled players they could expect payment on or around 25 July. However, the fresh delay, caused by red tape as the administrators unravel the club's finances, is increasing the chance that some of the team will refuse to play in friendlies.

One piece of good news is that Benito Carbone is close to signing a contract with the Serie A newcomers Como. The Italian will agree terms at around £20,000-a-week, leaving a shortfall of a further £20,000-a-week and his advisers are planning to pursue Bradford for the difference.

Genoa's Frenchman Abdoulay Konko, 18, could sign for Blackburn Rovers after returning for a second trial, while Fulham are poised to add to their foreign legion by signing the defender Martin Djetou, the Ivory Coast-born French centre-back, from Parma.

Clyde Wijnhard says he may have to find a new club this summer after failing to agree a long-term deal at Preston. The Dutch striker, 28, who is training with Haarlem, has rejected a three-year deal offered by the First Division club.