DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson remains hopeful Dean Windass will sign for the club despite admitting he faces competition for the former Middlesbrough striker.

Hodgson will this week step up his bid to land the 35-year-old when he meets with representatives of the player tomorrow.

Windass is one of 20 Bradford City players who have been told they can leave the troubled West Yorkshire club.

Administrators have warned that the Bantams will not survive the close season without an "immediate and significant" injection of cash with reported debts of £35m.

And while Quakers have their own financial problems to contend with, Hodgson has already set about the task of building for next season after insisting the club will survive.

The Quakers boss met with Windass at the Neasham Road Stadium last week to discuss the possibility of a return to the North-East.

However, Windass' availability has alerted a number of club's with Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley both keeping tabs.

"We can't really expect to go for a player like Dean without facing competition," said Hodgson.

"He has been an ever-present in the First Division and has been one of Bradford's best players this season.

"But he rang me towards the end of last week and we had a very good chat.

"We will be speaking to his representatives on Wednesday so we will have to wait and see."

Windass has also been linked with a return to hometown club Hull.

However, Tigers boss Peter Taylor is unlikely to make any moves for the former fans' favourite.

Hodgson will hold further talks with Windass' Bantams teammate Ben Muirhead this week.

Like Windass, Muirhead is available on a free transfer as part of cost-cutting measures at Valley Parade.

Hodgson was holding talks with three other North-East-born transfer targets yesterday. However, the Quakers boss is keen to keep their identities under wraps.

* Hartlepool United have been boosted ahead of their gruelling play-off trip to Bristol City tomorrow by the news that Michael Nelson and Antony Sweeney are both winning fitness battles, writes Paul Fraser.

Both players had to be substituted during Saturday's first leg 1-1 draw at Victoria Park, having picked up injuries, but both are well on their way to making a full recovery.

Read more about the Quakers here.