Bradford City today had a £1 million bid for Oxford's Dean Wind-ass rejected.

The 29-year-old former Hull and Aberdeen midfieldman has scored 15 league goals for the Division One club this season and has also been a target for Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town.

Jewell said: "We made a telephone inquiry last week and faxed an offer yesterday morning, but it has been rejected.

"That is as far as this one goes. We are not going to be held to ransom and the search goes on."

Jewell search for new players before the March 18 transfer deadline corresponds with mounting injury worries.

His need for replacements has been heightened by the news that star winger Peter Beagrie and defender Ashley Westwood have been ruled out of tomorrow's match at Barnsley.

Beagrie is also doubtful for Saturday's trip to Port Vale and Tuesday's big home clash with Sunderland because of the thigh strain which forced him to miss the 1-0 win over West Brom..

With winger Jamie Lawrence and right back Stephen Wright also suffering from injuries there is a new urgency to Jewell's quest.

He said today: "I am not panicking - I have been looking around for quite a while."

The injury problems could not have come at a worst time as second placed City face four matches in a ten day spell starting at Barnsley tomorrow

Westwood, who was substituted with a thigh strain five minutes from the end of the West Brom match, has had an unlucky season with injuries since he joined City from Crewe last summer in a £150,000 deal.

Lawrence lasted just 18 minutes before he was substituted after suffering back spasms.

"He didn't train yesterday and we will see how he is today," said Jewell. "Sometimes back problems can disappear as quickly as they come."

Wright missed the West Brom match with a thigh injury also did not train yesterday, but Jewel said: "He has only a slight strain so he might be in the squad for tomorrow."

He added: "We were not at our most fluent against West Brom without our two wingers, but the lads who came into the side dug in and did their best.

"Peter Beagrie is a very important part of the squad. We have been injury free for a long time, but we have had more than our share of injuries in the past. I am not complaining, though, because every side gets injuries."

City's match at QPR, scheduled for Saturday, April 24 has been moved back two days to Monday, April 26 for Sky TV coverage.

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