PHIL Parkinson is ready to raid his former club Bradford City for TWO of his former charges, The Bolton News understands.

The Wanderers boss is looking to sign out-of-contract defenders James Meredith and Tony McMahon for his side’s Championship tilt next season.

The Bantams, who missed out on promotion in the play-off final, have offered both players a new deal at Valley Parade.

Parkinson has opened talks, however, and faces competition from other clubs in the Championship and League One, including Millwall and Charlton.

Australian Meredith was plucked from non-league football by Parkinson, helping his Bradford side to promotion from League One in his first year.

The left-back was voted into the PFA League One team of the year this season and could be signed as competition for Andy Taylor, who signed a two-year deal with the Whites last week.

McMahon started his career at Middlesbrough along with Taylor and David Wheater and can play either as a right wing-back or in midfield.

He also featured heavily for Parkinson in his Bradford days and has weighed in with 12 goals in his last two seasons.

Bradford have not given up hope of convincing the two players to remain in League One, with chief operating officer James Mason stating last week: “It’s a waiting game,” he said. “The out-of-contract players who we’d like to keep have been offered contracts. They are now with the players, their agents and families to discuss.”

The pair could join former team-mate Filipe Morais, who is in discussion about a new deal with Wanderers, but it is understood no contact has yet been made with Stephen Darby, the defender freed by Bradford last week.

Wanderers made an approach for the former Liverpool man in January, mooting a swap deal with striker Jamie Proctor.

The offer was rejected and it was widely expected Darby would link-up again with his former Bradford boss.