Robson wants to keep Armstrong

BRYAN Robson is looking to keep hold of Alun Armstrong even longer than his original one-month loan period from Ipswich Town.

Armstrong scored the second-from-bottom Bantams' winner at Norwich City to halt the Division One leaders in their tracks and consign them to only their second home defeat of the season.

Bradford City boss Robson has been impressed with Armstrong since he arrived at Valley Parade on January 2, and even though he is only half-way through the loan spell has already made it clear he wants to keep him.

Robson said: “I would like to keep Alun for longer than the month but that would be up to Ipswich and my board.

“I thought Alun led the line very well. Not just with the goal but his build-up play.

“He also brought Ben Muirhead and Danny Cadamarteri into the game well after the break.”

With City chairman Gordon Gibb quitting last Friday, Robson may have to wait until the boardroom has settled before he can do more business.

But with Dean Windass out for at least six weeks, a striker of Armstrong's calibre would be a priority.

Windass has just had an operation to cure a double hernia, and is also struggling with a broken hand.

Robson signed Armstrong from Stockport County when he was the Middlesbrough boss but later sold him to Ipswich who have made him available on a free transfer so are unlikely to object to him staying at Bradford.

Talking about his goal on Saturday Armstrong said: “I had a feeling that something like this would happen. The lads had been giving me plenty of stick about not scoring yet.

“Joe Royle had asked me last week to do Ipswich a favour at Carrow Road, and I was happy to oblige - though I have to admit I had to get a taxi to get to my car safely.

“The Norwich fans had been giving me plenty and I just thought about putting my hand over my mouth in celebration on the spur of the moment.”