Dean Windass isn't bothered if the fans give him a hard time when he returns to Bradford City tomorrow.

Windass is not sure what kind of reception lies in wait at Valley Parade after quitting the Bantams for Middlesbrough in a deal that will eventually reach £1m.

Andy O'Brien was given a rousing welcome on his Newcastle debut against City in March but Windass, a hero of the promotion and survival seasons, has spiced up the build-up to the final home game with comments that he is now surrounded by better players.

Windass, City's top scorer last year, said: "I don't know what to expect. But to be honest, I don't really care.

"I always did my best for Bradford but if they slag me off, then it will help to bring the best out of me.

"I feel very sorry for everybody at Bradford that they have gone down. But now it's not my problem - I have my own problems at Middlesbrough.

"All I am focusing on is trying to get the result which will keep us in the Premier League."

Bantams boss Jim Jefferies, who didn't want to let Windass go, said he would be reminding the players about the striker's quotes.

Jefferies said: "He has helped me with the team talk, that's for sure. Saying that he's got better people around him up there will get us going.

"Deano's a character and he used to wind up people when he was here. But it would be nice to put one over him and shut him up for one or two of his comments."

Windass has scored twice in six games for Boro who still need one more win from their remaining two games to be sure of staying up.

Windass said: "Bradford are playing for their pride and it's a tight pitch so it will be a very difficult game. But we know what we have to do and there will be plenty of support from our fans.

"When you can sell out 3,000 tickets and do it early then it shows what kind of support you have got. If everything goes to plan then we will hopefully give them a good day out.

"We have to go there with a positive attitude just as we did when we won at Arsenal and Leicester."

Windass, who headed the opening goal for City in their 2-2 draw at the Riverside in November, won't have any qualms about scoring against his old team-mates - especially now they are already down.

He added: "I think it's been obvious for sometime that Bradford were going down. They couldn't offer me what I wanted at the club.

"So when Boro came in for me, I wanted to come here from the start. I have never been relegated as a player and I don't want it now."

City striker Robbie Blake said: "No doubt there will be a few verbals but that's the way Deano plays. "