Archived News from July 2002
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WATKISS ON LARKIN DEAL
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WOLVES ACCEPT OFFER FOR LARKIN
Evening Post, 24 July 2002 Mansfield Town boss Stuart Watkiss was due to talk to Colin Larkin and his agent today after the Stags agreed a fee with Division One Wolves for the striker's services. A deal worth around £150,000 could be completed in a matter of days if the 20-year-old Irishman can agree terms. Watkiss, who has been searching for a replacement for Chris Greenacre after he departed for Stoke City under the Bosman ruling, said he was delighted an agreement had been reached and it is now up to the player. The final fee will depend on factors like goals scored and appearances made. Watkiss said: "I spoke to Colin's agent briefly yesterday and we are going to be talking figures so, hopefully, we will be able to get something sorted out." Larkin has been allowed to leave Molineux after finding himself a long way down the pecking order of strikers Wolves boss Dave Jones has at his disposal. His spent most of last season on loan at Kidderminster Harriers and their former boss Jan Molby put in a bid to take the Irishman to his new club, Hull City. Meanwhile, Mansfield continued their pre-season programme with a 2-0 win over Midland Football Alliance outfit Rushall Olympic. Danny Bacon and youth team regular Chris Beardsley, who entered the fray as a substitute, were both on target, either side of half-time. Watkiss, who lists Rushall among his former clubs, was very pleased with the way his team performed. He said: "We scored two goals but it could have been ten. We hit the bar three times and they also cleared a couple off the line. "But we gave them the runaround a bit and that is what you want to see at this stage. "Everything looked like what you want it to look like." The manager said that Scott Sellars was outstanding in midfield and he was very pleased with the contribution of triallists Hugh Murray and Chris Holloway. Both left proceedings with slight knocks but could both feature when Stags take on Forest at Field Mill on Saturday. He said: "They both picked up minor injuries but I was impressed with the way they played in midfield. "Hopefully, they will be all right and I might be looking to play perhaps another triallist in the Forest game." One player who is struggling is player-of-the-year Bobby Hassell, who missed the game after his knee injury failed to recover in time. Watkiss said: "Bobby was due to play but felt his knee in the morning so we have told him to rest for the next couple of days. "Hopefully, he will be OK but, if he cannot play, I might look at Matthew Gadsby at right back because he fitted in well last night and played very well." The new edition of Stags fanzine Follow the Yellow Brick Road will be on sale before the Forest game and Stags' clash with Derby County on Tuesday. It costs £1 and will be on sale from 1.30pm. |
Latest | July 2002