Charlton may have soured Billy Clarke’s return to The Valley by pushing Bradford closer to the League One trap door but the midfielder still hopes The Addicks get promoted.

The Irishman who moved to The Bantams in January after 18 months with The Addicks made his entrance late on in the 1-0 defeat on Saturday which leaves them six points from safety at the foot of the table.

Despite the defeat Clarke said he wants his former employers go up to the second tier.

“It’s a monster and a giant of a club in this league, so hopefully they go up,” he said.

“They’ve got really good players, players that deserve to play in the Championship.

“It’ll be tough, but they’ve got to keep going, keep believing and hopefully they go up.”

Clarke’s time at Charlton was overshadowed by a serious knee injury which limited his playing time under Bowyer, but the 31-year-old has fond memories of the London Club and the fans that took him to heart in his brief spell at The Valley.

“It’s lovely to see familiar faces despite it obviously being a disappointing result for us.

“I was waiting three or four minutes to come on but the reception I got from the fans was great.

“Anytime you get appreciated is nice and it’s good to hear, so I’ve got to thank them for that.

“It’s nice to be back and to get back on the pitch.”