Dean Windass today put his faith in City and declared: "I want to be the man to get them up."

The Valley Parade hitman is raring to go against Bournemouth tomorrow after the Bantams turned down an offer from Wigan.

Latics manager Paul Jewell came in with a £350,000 bid, expected to rise by another £150,000 at the end of the season if they survived in the Premiership.

Windass was also offered a lucrative contract believed to be in the region of £10,000 a week.

City were desperate to hang on to their talisman, who has fired six goals in the last three games, and Windass admitted it would have been too big a wrench to leave.

"I told the gaffer I wanted to stay because I love it at Bradford and there's no need for me to move," he said.

"Julian Rhodes has been loyal towards me and the fans have been brilliant. I spoke to my wife and she also wanted me to stay, which is important.

"Of course I'm flattered because it's not every day that you get the chance to play in the Premiership again. But it's not as easy as that.

"It's not as if I've not been in the Premiership before and I'm really enjoying it at Bradford.

"We've got a good team here and Colin (Todd) wants to get promotion this year. I want to be the man who helps them to do that.

"I want to get back into the Championship with Bradford and I believe we've got a great chance of doing that.

"I've been a bit run-down the last

couple of days thinking about it and it's not been an ideal situation.

"But it won't affect me once I cross that line tomorrow and I just want to get out and play again."

City are still trying to bring in one more striker and talks were due to take place with a mystery target today. But Todd is delighted to hang on to League One's hottest scoring act.

The City boss said: "I've been quite relaxed about the situation and we're talking about a new contract with Dean.

"That isn't something that was born out of the Wigan interest - it was first mentioned last season and we were just waiting for the right time."

Jewell conceded defeat but felt Windass could still have done a good job in the top flight.

The former Bantams boss said: "He would have been a good addition because he has got a great eye for goal. Technically he is outstanding and he is still as fit as a fiddle.

"But I think Dean is quite happy at Bradford and they don't want to sell him because he is their best player."