Reports that Premiership new boys Wigan Athletic have upped their bid to £600,000 for striker Dean Windass have been shrugged off by City.

Wigan's former City manager Paul Jewell is said to be still keen to land the veteran player.

But City boss Colin Todd is having none of it and said: "There was something written about Wigan upping their bid - that is not true. It is dead and buried.

"Somebody is making life difficult for us and trying to unsettle the player again. But Dean Windass has not let it affect his performances.

"I thought he played very well in both games since the Wigan speculation."

When Wigan were initially knocked back by City, Jewell said: "Dean would have been a great player to have in our squad.

"But I can understand Bradford not wanting to see their best player leave and I can understand Dean wanting to stay where he's guaranteed to play every week."

But Jewell has had bids for other players turned down and may well be prepared to pay more for Windass.

Todd added: "I have heard nothing more on the subject.

"When I spoke to Paul Jewell I said there was no chance as far as I was concerned but said by all means speak to my chief executive. But the key to it all lies with Dean himself."

City's chief executive Julian Rhodes is away for a few days and club secretary Jon Pollard says he has not had a new approach from Wigan.

But it is an anxious time for City fans, who know Windass is crucial to their success on the park.

Wigan initially faxed City with an offer of £450,000 for the player and Rhodes' initial response was: "We are aiming for promotion and you don't get promotion by selling your best players."

Meanwhile, City are struggling with injuries ahead of tomorrow night's game against Chesterfield at Valley Parade.

Definitely missing will be Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Donovan Ricketts, Bobby Petta, Steven Schumacher and Danny Cadamarteri.

Danny Forrest and Jake Wright have both been loaned out to Halifax Town.