Jones still pushing for Cooper

Cooper: Still wanted by Jones

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Cardiff City manager Dave Jones insists the club's bid to sign American striker Kenny Cooper is not 'dead and buried'.

Last season's FA Cup finalists have agreed a £2million fee with Major League Soccer for Cooper, who plays for FC Dallas.

Several other clubs have also shown an interest in the former Manchester United youngster, but Jones still hopes to push through a deal, despite Dallas' determination to hang on to the forward.

"With Kenny Cooper everything was quiet, moving along nicely and suddenly all hell breaks loose and other clubs are alerted," Jones told the Western Mail.

Major stumbling block

"It became a major stumbling block because other clubs made enquiries and why is a player then not going to listen to those?

"It has been made a little bit more difficult because we are dealing far away with the MLS. But is it dead and buried? No, it is not dead and buried yet. I did not even know it was supposed to be dead and buried until you told me."

Jones has also urged patience while he tries to sign new players, adding: "A lot has been said as if we have a poor squad, but I don't think that is the way it is.

Options open

"We need a couple more strikers, maybe another player too, which we are trying to do, but we have a good squad of players. We have already brought in six.

"Clubs do not have to do anything until the transfer window closes. Particularly if you are the selling club, you can wait and see and keep your options open.

"That is a stumbling block: teams will not let them go until they have exhausted every option. But we will continue looking until the window closes and after that we will have to look at loans. But we have still got time."