Bradford City are chasing cash-strapped Portsmouth's attacking midfielder Sammy Igoe as they bid to step up their drive for the Premiership.

But Bantams boss Paul Jewell has denied national press reports linking him with a £500,000 move for Charlton's goalscoring midfielder Neil Redfearn.

Reports from Portsmouth say City have already had a bid of £500,000 accepted for 23-year-old Igoe who scored at Valley Parade on the final day of last season when Pompey clinched a 3-1 victory to avoid the drop to the Second Division.

But City are likely to face competition for the diminutive Igoe with Premiership outfit Derby County among those said to be interested along with First Division rivals Port Vale and Bristol City.

Jewell, who has admitted he has money to spend to boost his side's promotion effort, said today: "We have shown interest in Igoe but at the moment any deal is on hold."

Jewell was quick to deny interest in 33-year-old Yorkshireman Redfearn whose goals took Barnsley into the top flight two years ago.

He moved to Charlton for £1.1m during the close season but it appears the London club may be ready to cut their losses and are asking around £750,000.

Meanwhile, former Bradford City defender Dean Richards, due back at Valley Parade with Wolves for the first time on Saturday, was today placed on the transfer list at his own request.

The 24-year-old Bradford born player, one of the best the city has produced in modern times, left City in June 1994 for what is still a club record fee.

But he is disappointed at Wolves' lack of progress and is ambitious to play in the Premiership and was expected to leave Molineux as a free agent at the end of the season in any event.

At least three Premiership clubs, who could include Leeds United are believed to be interested in signing him, particularly as a free agent.

As a player aged 24 or more, Richards would be entitled to a free transfer under the Bosman Ruling which would mean City would not receive the sell-on fee chairman Geoffrey Richmond negotiated when he left Valley Parade. A fee would only be involved if he moved before the end of the season.

Tickets are still selling quickly for Saturday's match which is heading for a sell-out. Supporters are urged to buy tickets before the day to avoid disappointment as a capacity is reduced to 15,000.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.