Bluebirds face Hall fight

OLDHAM ATHLETIC manager Iain Dowie has warned Cardiff City that they will face competition for the signature of highly-rated defender Fitz Hall.

The cash-strapped Latics have accepted a bid of £500,000 for the 22-year-old, as the Boundary Park club have been forced to sell their best players in order to keep the club afloat.

Dowie is keen not to lose the young centre half but admitted that Hall has some decisions to make, suggesting the player has also received interest from clubs in The Premiership for his services.

"The clubs have reached agreement and although I don't want Fitz to leave Boundary Park, I am not in a position to influence him to stay," said Dowie.

"Fitz has got one or two things going on, and he will have a big decision to make.

"He went to Cardiff on Monday and Lennie Lawrence there is a great manager.

"We could all learn a few things off Lennie, but there has been plenty of interest in him from The Premiership.

"If they (Cardiff) want him they will have to convince him that that is the right move for him, but there are one or two other bits and pieces in the offing."

Meanwhile, Bluebirds boss Lawrence has denied having talks with Manchester City striker Shaun Goater.

The Bermudan international has been linked with a move to fellow Division One side Sunderland but was said to be discussing a move to Ninian Park with Lawrence.

However, the Cardiff City manager told the club's official website that there was no truth in the Goater link.

"I have not met or had any contact with Shaun Goater or his club Manchester City," said Lawrence.