CITY must keep putting their bodies on the line to maintain their play-off push, Phil Parkinson insisted.

The Bantams are in the League One top six after last night’s goalless draw with leaders Coventry at Valley Parade.

It means they have now gone seven games without conceding a goal – one short of the all-time club record set more than a century ago.

And they are set to be boosted by the return of loan defender Reece Burke, with Parkinson confident that a deal will be done with West Ham to extend his youth loan after all.

The City boss was delighted to see his side snuff out the Sky Blues, who had scored 14 goals in their previous four outings.

He said: “That desire was there again from the back four to make important blocks and from the goalkeeper to keep the ball out the net.

“It’s relentless and we’ve got to go again and keep producing.

“Those important blocks we’re making are the difference between getting a point and getting beaten. We’re putting our bodies on the line and we’ve got to continue to do that.

“It was a tough game between two good sides and played at a terrific pace. Both teams had chances but we stuck at our job and it was another good performance.

“The three players Coventry have got all on loan are very dangerous and it will be interesting in January to see if they keep them.

“But you’ve got to give Stephen Darby a big mention because at one point he faced (Ryan) Kent, (Jacob) Murphy and (Adam) Armstrong down that side and saw them all off.

“That was an excellent one v one performance from Stephen and it’s a credit to his fitness levels and his concentration.”

James Hanson made a surprisingly early return to action, less than a week after damaging ankle ligaments in the FA Cup replay win over Aldershot.

Billy Knott was also recalled and gave an outstanding performance in midfield as City extended their unbeaten run to ten games.

Parkinson added: “Billy was tremendous for us with his football ability and passing and hardly gave the ball away all night.

“It was one of those nights when I didn’t have to say anything before the game. I could just feel the lads were so determined to take this team on.

“We played with a great attitude and desire to show our fans that we can be contenders.

“If you can get good players performing like we are at the moment it gives you a good chance of keeping the points board ticking over.”

Burke is currently back with the Hammers for treatment on the ligament injury he suffered last week in training. But Parkinson is optimistic he will soon return.

“Hopefully we’ve got that agreed until January,” he said. “We need to get him fit first but that’s another terrific bit of news for us.

“We’re going to need everybody going forward.

“But I thought Nathan Clarke was immense. He’s another one who’s come in after not a lot of football and played three games in a week and done really well."