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Dario Gradi is close to loaning an unknown striker in the following week after admitting to scouring the country for possible options to suit next season’s proposed formation. It was recently claimed on BBC Radio Stoke that the prospective loan signing was last season at a Premiership club before going out on loan to a Championship side. The striker has been earmarked to play as a big target-man in a new formation. Possible options include former Crewe youth and Man Utd starlet Eddie Johnson who seems the most likely possibility although another candidate for the role could be Southampton’s Trinidadian international Kenwyne Jones. The strong hit man from the formerly Premiership outfit impressed whilst on loan at Sheffield Wednesday before going on loan to rivals Stoke and played in the game at Gresty Road. However, with Dario’s cryptic style of media handling no one is too sure who the striker is.
Boss Dario Gradi stated, “The player we are interested in bringing here would be a long-term loan. We would look to take him until Christmas initially with a view to extending that to the end of the season”. "We are led to believe that he is interested in coming here on loan and if he says he can play the role we need him to play, then we will go ahead with trying to bring him here once he returns from his holiday".
With the season fast approaching, it looks likely that Dario will make his move soon in order to mould the player into next season’s formation and to stave off any possible opposition. Dario may also look to loan a replacement for Colin Murdock should the Northern Ireland international leave. Gradi has stated that he has selected Premiership defenders to bring in on loan with Gerard Pique from Man Utd a suggested target.