Bradford City's inspirational defender Eddie Youds is today talking to promotion-chasing Charlton over a sensational £500,000 switch to London.

The 27-year-old has missed just one game for the Bantams this season after battling back from a career-threatening injury which ruled him out for 14 months.

Youds is a clear favourite for City's Player of the Year award this season and Charlton manager Alan Curbishley wants the former Everton player to boost his side's hopes of promotion to the Premiership.

Bantams chairman Geoffrey Richmond will not comment on any speculation but has confirmed that he expects two or three players to leave Valley Parade before tomorrow's transfer deadline.

Sheffield United are believed to have tabled a £150,000 bid for full back Chris Wilder while Cardiff City are still keen to take Shaun Murray to Wales.

And as exclusively revealed in the Telegraph & Argus on Saturday, record signing John McGinlay is wanted by Dundee United to help their bid for a place in the UEFA Cup next season while Stockport County are also believed to be interested in taking the Scot on loan.

City chairman Geoffrey Richmond has pledged that any money collected by the club this week from transfers will be used in the transfer market during the summer.

He said today: "The club will not confirm or deny any speculation about an individual player but we do anticipate two or possibly three players leaving the club prior to transfer deadline day.

"I cannot say any more until a deal happens but we anticipate some activity either today or tomorrow.

"What I will say is that we have a deficit on transfers this season. We are also the fourth largest net spenders in the division this year. And I stress that any funds received will be reinvested during the summer."

Youds joined City from then Premiership side Ipswich Town for £175,000 three-years-ago and signed an improved two-year contract with the club last summer.

Wilder, meanwhile, moved to City in March last year as the club looked to avoid relegation and has impressed with some accomplished performances.

However with full back Vas Borbokis being linked with a switch to Premiership strugglers Everton, the Blades are searching for a quality right back to help their promotion bid.

Steve Thompson's side are also in the semi-final of the FA Cup but Wilder will be unable to play if he does move to Bramall Lane because he is cup-tied.

Meanwhile, managing director Shaun Harvey was yesterday at a crisis meeting of officials from the Pontin's League amid fears that Football Association plans could see it fold.

FA technical director Howard Wilkinson has proposed a new academy system which would involve the introduction of a series of youth leagues which could result in clubs pulling their reserve teams out of both the Pontin's League and the Football Combination.

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