Hull striker Michael Bridges did not join Crewe on loan because he did not want to drop a division, according to Alex boss Steve Holland.Crewe had agreed on the striker's wages, but the former Leeds striker decided against leaving the Tigers on Thursday night.

Holland said: "Of course we are disappointed. We agreed a short-term deal with Hull to take Michael on loan, but he does not wish to drop out of the Championship at the moment.

"He is certainly not a player we could afford on a permanent basis but the board were willing to pay his wages in full on a temporary basis."

Bridges, 29, has been plagued with injuries since being tipped as a future England player while at Leeds.

He left Elland Road in 2004 and has since had spells at Bolton, Sunderland, Bristol City and Carlisle before arriving at the KC Stadium in summer 2006.

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