Windass can leave with his "head held high"

The veteran Dean Windass claims he can leave Hull with his "head held high" after being told they are listening to offers for him. The striker, 39, has reluctantly accepted his days at the KC Stadium are numbered after making just six first-team appearances since firing the Tigers into the Barclays Premier League last season. Windass has made known his frustration at his lack of action on numerous occasions but has not even made the bench for the last two matches. "Finally I know where I stand. I am reluctant to go, gutted it has come to an end, but now I know I can leave Hull City. And I'll do so with my head held high," he wrote in his column for the Daily Mail. The former Aberdeen, Bradford and Middlesbrough forward is out of contract at the end of the season and currently considering an offer to join Hartlepool on loan until the end of the season. Windass rejoined his hometown club two years ago and scored 15 goals last season as the club won promotion to the top flight, including the winner in the Championship play-off final. "All I wanted was to play for Hull in the Barclays Premier League. I could have walked away from Hull after my winning goal against Bristol City in the play-off final at Wembley," he added. "A massive part of me, the Hull City fan, wanted me to be part of the adventure after waiting so long to see this club in the Premier League, visiting grounds like Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates. "But an even bigger part of me believed I could still play a role for the club and that I would just have to be patient. I still don't think the manager has given me the chance to make an impact but now I know where I really stand." Windass admits his relationship with the manager Phil Brown has turned sour since the summer and claims the manager has not even spoken to him since the 5-1 thrashing by Manchester City on Boxing Day. "I know Phil Brown has other priorities as Hull boss but I'm nearly 40 now, with a few years under my belt, so I don't expect to be treated like a kid." *PA Sport