Bradford City are planning to sign striker Ashley Ward from Blackburn Rovers in a £1.5m deal as their close season recruiting continues unabated.

At the same time, they plan to sell striker Lee Mills to Portsmouth for £1m, the same price they paid Port Vale for him two years ago.

And defender Ashley West-wood, who has struggled for a first team place at City since signing two years ago from Crewe for £150,000, is joining former Bantams manager Paul Jewell at Sheffield Wednesday on loan.

City have agreed a fee for 29-year-old Ward, but have not yet met the player. Chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "We hope to meet him in the next few days.

"We have spoken to the player's agent who has in turn spoken to the player and he is extremely interested in joining us."

Much travelled Ward played for Manchester City, Leicester, Crewe, Norwich, Derby and Barnsley before joining Black-burn in December 1998 for £4.5m after Barnsley were relegated, scoring 13 goals in 58 games.

As regards Mills, Richmond said: "We have agreed a fee with Portsmouth of £1m plus a few bits and pieces and Lee Mills will be talking to the club today."

Mills was top scorer with 25 goals when City gained promotion from the First Division in the 1998-99 season.