City have turned down a bid for Joe Colbeck.

Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes confirmed he had knocked back an offer for the winger, who is one of a host of players out of contract at the end of the season.

City would not reveal the identity of the mystery bidder but it is thought to be Darlington.

Colbeck had a successful loan spell with the Quakers earlier in the season and they were keen to hang on to him at the time. But Stuart McCall recalled him early and has been pleased with the 21-year-old's response since returning to Valley Parade.

McCall said: "We've had a bid but not for what we would value Joe at. He wants to be here and while he is performing like he is, Joe is an important part of the team.

"He's doing ever so well at the moment and his confidence is high. Hopefully he can keep that up all season.

"Somebody with his pace is naturally going to be a threat but again it boils down to consistency. But that's what we're after with everybody.

"I'm not after two really good performances and then two poor ones but consistent games week in, week out.

"Going out on loan seems to have given him a lift and he is doing a good job for us. He is assisting with goals as well as scoring the one at Accrington and he does an awful lot of work on the defensive side.

"Long may it continue for him."

Colbeck is not among the high earners in the dressing room but City will view the fact they can now reject offers for players as a sign of the financial progress being made.

It was a year ago when Rhodes was forced into the unpopular and controversial sales of Dean Windass and Jermaine Johnson; cash-generating decisions he had to make at the time but which later came back to haunt the club when they were relegated.

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