DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson is on the verge of bringing former Middlesbrough striker Dean Windass back to the North-East.

Bradford City boss Bryan Robson has been told to cull his squad following their relegation from the First Division, three months after the club was placed into administration for a second time with reported debts of £35m.

Bantams forward Windass is one of 24 first-team players who have been advised to search for a new club as part of the cost-cutting exercise, a year after re-joining the Bantams on a free transfer from Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United.

And after meeting with Windass at the Neasham Road stadium yesterday, Hodgson is hopeful of completing what would be a major coup for the club.

However, the Quakers boss has warned that no deal will be reached until both club's have resolved their precarious positions off the field.

"Dean wants to come and the move will be agreed subject to what happens at Bradford and with ourselves," said Hodgson.

"Obviously a lot will also depend on what happens over the next couple of weeks.

"I sat down with Dean this morning and the talks were extremely encouraging.

"Dean has been on good money at Bradford but that is not an issue for him.

"He understands the situation we're in so we'll just have to wait and see."

Ian Kitt, a spokesman for Bradford City, last night confirmed: "The position with the players is that they have been told they can talk to other clubs and of course that includes Dean."

Windass started his career with hometown club Hull City in 1991, where he went on to score 57 goals in four years for the Tigers, before moving north of the border to Aberdeen in a £700,000 deal in 1995.

Windass spent three seasons in the Scottish Premier League, before returning to England with Oxford in 1998, where he first forged a friendship with Us' captain at the time and current Quakers assistant manager, Martin Gray.

After a successful season with the Us, Windass was snapped up by Bradford in a £950,000 deal in 1999.

Two years later, former England manager Terry Venables lured Windass to the Riverside Stadium, paying £600,000 for his services to help Boro avoid relegation from the Premiership.

After loan spells at Sheffield rivals United and Wednesday, Windass rejoined Bradford at the start of the season.

Hodgson has also revealed his hopes of landing Windass' Bantams teammate Ben Muirhead.

The 21-year-old, who started his career at Manchester United, is available on a free transfer.

Hodgson said: "We have made our interest known in Ben but, like Dean, we will have to wait until one or two issues are resolved."