Derby want to take Ashley Ward off City's hands.

The Telegraph & Argus can reveal that George Burley has inquired about the availability of the club's top earner.

As City close in on old boy Dean Windass, Derby are keen on bringing back their former striker Ward - who missed the start of pre-season training yesterday.

Ward, 32, has one more season of his four-year contract to run. And on a Premiership-style pay packet of £18,000 a week, City would not block any offers to take him off their wage bill.

It is hardly the first time Ward has been targeted. Last season he was linked with six different clubs - Wolves, Sheffield United, Leicester, Portsmouth, West Brom and Ipswich.

Derby have had financial troubles of their own last season and released ten players including forwards Fabrizio Ravanelli and Branko Strupar.

If a deal for Ward was to happen, it is likely City would still have to pay a contribution towards his wages.

Ward played for Derby between March 1996 and September 1997 and scored ten in 44 games, including goals at Anfield and Old Trafford. He is still a popular figure with Rams fans and got a good reception before City's 2-1 win at Pride Park in March.

Ward netted only three times in 25 games for City last season but was troubled by injuries. He missed the final two months after breaking a rib against Sheffield Wednesday.

Windass, his strike partner in the top flight, is poised to sign a two-year deal when he returns from holiday later this week.

He is currently in Portugal but City are hot favourites to snap up the 34-year-old despite interest from at least two other clubs.

The players blew off the summer cobwebs yesterday with a run through the streets around the Bradford & Bingley Stadium and a weight session in Fitness First gym. Ward will be away for the first week of pre-season because he is on holiday in America.

Assistant manager Chris Dowhan said: "Everybody who was here was keen to get up and running. Obviously there are still a few missing on holiday and things like that.

"Gareth Edds and Rob Wolleaston are coming tomorrow but Luke Cornwall has been in with us and he has settled in quickly."

l City's trip to West Ham has been put back 24 hours to Tuesday, August 26 (7.45pm kick-off).