WEST BROM are denying having any interest in Middlesbrough star Dean Windass.

It is understood that Baggies manager Gary Megson has put in a bid for the striker believed to be around £750,000.

However, West Brom chief executive John Wile has indicated that no deal is about to take place.

"Not as far as we are concerned," said Wile. "Unless something has been done without the knowledge of me or the chairman.

"We have no interest in the player and that is not a deal we are looking at."

Windass, who was signed by former Boro boss Bryan Robson from Bradford shortly before March's transfer deadline day, has been linked with a few clubs recently.

Both Leicester and Bradford have been mentioned but Windass has remained at Boro and has been on the bench for each of their last five games. Whether the 32-year-old completes a switch to the Hawthorns or not it is clear that his time on Teesside looks to be nearing an end.

Brian Deane's drawn out transfer from Boro to Leicester was finally sealed last night.

The 33-year-old striker has agreed terms and passed a medical yesterday. He is expected to be unveiled at a press conference later today.

Deane, who will be available to play against Aston Villa on Saturday, has signed a contract which will keep him at Filbert Street until the summer of 2003.

Deane has teamed up for the second time with Foxes boss Dave Bassett, who was signed by Bassett at Sheffield United for £30,000 from Doncaster in 1988.

Meanwhile, Steve McClaren has admitted that he has got a major selection problem on his hands when goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer arrives back from international duty.

In Schwarzer's absence Mark Crossley has kept two clean sheets against Aston Villa and Ipswich, and will go to Blackburn on Saturday full of confidence.

"All Mark (Crossley) has to do is keep a clean sheet on Saturday to give me a headache.," said McClaren, who will have Scandinavian Morten Gamst Pedersen arriving today for a trial.

"Mark has come in and done ever so well and Marlon Beresford has come in and done ever so well in the reserves." Schwarzer returns to Boro next week and both players will be battling it out for the No 1 shirt to take on Liverpool at Anfield a week on Saturday.

Read more about the Boro here.