One signs but doubts over duo

City player-of-the-year Heckingbottom is a steady 26-year-old left back who impressed during a torrid season for the Bantams where they got relegated.

The former Manchester United trainee was born in Barnsley and states Chris Turner’s enthusiasm as a major fact for bringing him to Hillsborough.

Heckingbottom joins Chris Carr, ‘an experienced defender’ and Guy Branston, who signed yesterday, to form part of a new Owls backline that is set to compete with Graham Lee and Richard Wood.

But if the defence and midfield is shaping up well with other additions like Glenn Whelan and the proposed signing of Chris Marsden, the strikeforce is still short of confirmed names.

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston has admitted Wednesday have made an enquiry regarding The Tangerines’ star striker but no offer has been confirmed as of yet.

Oyston also questions Wednesday’s motives for going public with the news and says Dave Allen’s interest in the player was to be confirmed with a subsequent bid.

Meanwhile, Wednesday received faxed confirmation of their upped bid for Howard from Luton Town before learning that the Kenilworth Road club were to rebuff the deal later in the day.

Although the fax that was received at Hillsborough around midday today was believed to be a ‘hoax’ from a member of staff at Luton, Hatters chairman Bill Tomlins confirmed to Wednesday that Town were not accepting the £500,000 bid.