Hull captain poised for Preston move

Last updated : 30 January 2011 By Luke Thornhill

He asked to leave on Friday, though this was not made public until after Saturday's goalless draw with Queens Park Rangers, and said he has been offered a contract by another club.

"He came in and before training, told me a club had offered him a contract - make of that what you will," said Nigel Pearson, the Tigers manager.

"In the afternoon, we had a written transfer request. Those are the facts as they are. I'll see how that one develops.

"The biggest thing for me, what I'm disappointed about, is the timing - on a Friday morning when you're preparing for the game, I'm disappointed."

Ashbee has been linked heavily with the Championship's bottom side Preston North End.

The midfielder was not in the squad as the Tigers held title-chasing Rangers to a stalemate at the KC Stadium on Saturday.

"I was surprised how Hull set the stall out - put the bus in front of the goal," said the R's boss Neil Warnock.

"I felt we dominated the game for 80 minutes. I just thought the last 10 minutes they had a little bit. We could have done a lot better in the last third. We didn't test the keeper enough."

Crystal Palace's manager Dougie Freedman was pleased with a point in their 0-0 draw with Norwich City.

"It's fantastic to get a point, They are a top-six team and will be up there at the end of the season. We are fighting for our lives and the lads showed that," he said.

The Canaries moved into second place with the point. Paul Lambert, their boss, praised the way his players have adapted to the Championship following promotion in the summer.

"It looks good when your name is in second, doesn't it? The team came up from League One last year so it's been a huge rise for us," he said.

"We're in second, it's extraordinary what we have done. The lads are a credit to the club."

Montpellier have confirmed the signing of the forward John Utaka from Portsmouth.

Bristol City have been linked with a move for the West Bromwich Albion striker Roman Bednar.