Parkinson optimistic on trio

Phil Parkinson is hopeful on keeping Filipe Morais, Jon Stead and Andy Halliday at Bradford beyond their current deals.

Portuguese winger Morais, 29, signed a short-term deal with City in the summer after leaving Stevenage and that expires next month, while Parkinson is also keen to extend the loan spells of Huddersfield striker Stead and Middlesbrough winger Halliday. "Morais signed a short-term contract, Halliday's contract finishes mid-January and Steady's finishes January 3," said Parkinson. "We're looking to improve our squad hopefully in January and not weaken it and we are in discussions with each of those players at the moment. "In January everybody looks to improve and we're no different, whether it's loan players until the end of the season - there won't be any money to spend in terms of transfer fees. "But if we have to wheel and deal a bit to improve what we've got we'll endeavour to do that." Former Chelsea winger Morais has reportedly attracted the interest of Sky Bet Championship clubs, while Stead, who has formed an impressive partnership with Billy Clarke, has scored four goals in his last seven appearances and is currently keeping fit-again James Hanson out of the side. "Hanson's back fit, he's been available for the last four or five weeks but he can't get his place back because of Jon's form," Parkinson added. "Since I've been here Hanson's been the first choice really and has done terrifically well for us so I think it's a mark of how well Jon's done, with Billy Clarke at the top of the pitch."