Leeds
have denied Newcastle have had a £1m bid rejected
for Michael Bridges, but admit an unnamed club have
made an enquiry for the striker.
Magpies
manager Sir Bobby Robson was reported to have launched
a cheeky bid for the former Sunderland striker, who
is back in first-team recognition following almost
two years on the sidelines.
However, although claims suggest Robson is likely
to make a renewed approach for Bridges once Newcastle
are safely through to the money-spinning group stage
of the Champions League, Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale
insists the club are not prepared to part company
with Bridges.
"I am very disappointed with that story because
I've had no bid from Newcastle," Ridsdale said.
"We're not trying to sell him but we did have
an enquiry and I can't stop people enquiring about
players.
"They've made no bid at this stage but they may
come back to us, that's not up to me," he added
on the club's official site.
Robson has been urged to take a chance on injury-prone
Bridges by Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer, who knows
him well through the scout who discovered them both,
Jack Hixon.
Robson is satisfied that Bridges - who is nearing
full fitness after knee and ankle problems - does
not represent a gamble.
Bridges' knee was repaired by Colorado surgeon Dr
Richard Steadman, who Robson respects highly for his
work in repairing the respective knee injuries of
Shearer and Craig Bellamy.
Bridges has also been linked with a move to Premiership
new-boys West Brom, although Ridsdale seems adamant
the striker is staying put, despite their need to
trim the club's wage bill and offload one of the five
senior strikers on the books.
