Bradford City boss Paul Jewell has poured scorn on speculation that he has made a £1 million bid for Newcastle United star Philippe Albert.

The cultured defender appears to be on his way out of St James' Park with manager Ruud Gullit failing to include Albert in his side during recent weeks.

A report in the North East yesterday suggested that City had bid £1 million and were willing to pay him more than £12,000 per week.

However Jewell said: "There is nothing in this. It just appears to be a rumour that refuses to go away. We believe it is Albert's agent who has placed this story in the Press."

Jewell still has around £1 million to spend as City look to earn a place in the Premiership for the first time in nearly eight decades.

Meanwhile, the City boss is glad that all the fuss over his manager of the Month award for December has died down and that he can concentrate on Saturday's game at Stockport.

He said: "The award was very nice because it recognised the work that a lot of people have down here. I have also had some mickey-taking off the players over the award but it is gone now.

"In fact I told the players before the Grimsby game that they must not start believing their own publicity. If they do then we will be back down the league table very quickly.

"Having said that about not believing your own publicity, I was planning to walk into training last Tuesday with a bottle of champagne and a big cigar but never got round to doing it!"

The City boss then added: "I am always happiest when the games are coming up and now I can concentrate on the Stockport game, which is very important for us."

City go into Saturday's game sat in fourth position with 44 points and a game in hand on the three sides above them.

Jewell is also boosted by the return to training of John Dreyer who has been out with a foot injury since City beat Bristol City 5-0 back in October.

It means that Jewell now has a full squad to choose from for the first time this season although he is unlikely to break up the blossoming defensive partnership of Andy O'Brien and Darren Moore.

He said: "We have suffered with injuries, particularly in defence where nearly all our players have been injured at some stage. John has been joining in full training with the rest of the squad which is great news."

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