Bradford City midfield man Nigel Pepper was today having talks with Scottish Premier Division club Aberdeen today with a view to a £300,000 transfer.

The 30-year-old joined City from York in March 1997 for £100,000 but has not been able to command a regular first team place this season because of the fine form of close season signings, Stuart McCall and Gareth Whalley.

Manager Paul Jewell said: "I will be sorry to see Nigel go. He has played regular first team football all his career and he is finding it difficult not to be an automatic first team choice this season.

"If the deal goes through I will have lost a valuable squad member. It is a difficult situation. I don't want to sell him, but I don't want to stand in his way either.

"Stuart McCall and Gareth Whalley are doing exceptionally well and if one or other of them could not play for some reason I think I have got enough cover in the squad to juggle players around for the odd game or so.

"It will be a great move for him, being able to play in the top division in Scotland against the likes of Rangers and Celtic."

Another City player in demand is striker Rob Steiner.

Queens Park Rangers boss Gerry Francis is expected to ask City to extend his current one month loan deal.

The West London club are likely to make their request before Saturday's Division One clash between the sides at Valley Parade when the Swede hopes to make his first start for Rang-ers.

The two clubs agreed a £300,000 fee when Steiner moved to Loftus Road earlier this month but Rangers are currently crippled by a cash shortage.

Francis admitted: "The fee seems more like £3million to us right now but I would like to add him to our squad.

"He is quick and good in the air but I would like to see a little more of him. He has only played as a substitute against Bolton and Sheffield United."

The way is clear for Steiner to face City on Saturday because they have not put any restriction into his loan deal - a measure some clubs adopt.

City have not indicated if they would be prepared to agree to an extended loan.

Andy O'Brien and Isaiah Rankin helped the Nationwide League Under-21 side draw 1-1 with their Italian Serie B counterparts in Terni, yesterday.

O'Brien was voted man-of-the-match for his display at the heart of the defence while Rankin appeared as a substitute.

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