DARLINGTON'S audacious attempt to land Bradford City striker Dean Windass is on hold until the future of the troubled West Yorkshire club is decided.

As revealed in yesterday's Northern Echo SPORT, former Middlesbrough forward Windass has held talks with Quakers boss David Hodgson over a possible return to the North-East, after being told he can leave Valley Parade.

Bradford were placed into administration for a second time in February with reported debts of £35m and Windass is one of 20 players who have been advised to look for new clubs as a cost-cutting measure.

The relegated Bantams are also in talks with rugby league neighbours Bradford Bulls with a view to making a temporary switch from Valley Parade to the Odsal Stadium to trim running costs.

Windass is a close friend of Quakers' assistant boss Martin Gray and travelled to the region on Tuesday to meet his former Oxford teammate.

And it was during his visit that Hodgson invited Windass to the Neasham Road stadium the following day for talks.

Windass said: "Hodgy has asked me to come but I've told him I can't make any decisions until I know what's happening at Bradford.

"I just happened to be up in the area to see Martin when Hodgy invited me along to the stadium, which looks fantastic. We had a good chat so we'll just have to wait and see.

"I keep in touch with Martin all the time so I'm sure he'll keep me informed."

After a CVA (Creditors Voluntary Agreement) proposal was refused at Valley Parade on Wednesday, it is looking increasingly likely that Windass will move on after administrators announced that "it is likely that further cost-cutting measures will have to be made".

However, Quakers will not be able to offer terms until their own financial problems are resolved.

Windass' availability has alerted a number of clubs, with Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday both monitoring the situation.

Windass admitted: "If it does go belly up at Bradford then there will be two or three other clubs interested. I know Darlington's situation, so in a way I could be jumping out of one frying pan into another.

"But I enjoyed my time in the North-East at Boro so I wouldn't rule anything out."

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