Tuesday News Round-Up

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 22/05/2007

FORMER Grimsby loan striker Martin Paterson has not discounted another loan move away from Stoke this season, despite being offered a new contract at the Britannia Stadium.

The 20-year-old became a firm favourite with the Blundell Park crowd last season and everyone at Town would welcome him back with open arms, including Town boss Alan Buckley.

In an interview with Stoke Sentinel Paterson explained: "I got offered the contract just before the last game of the season a couple of weeks ago but I haven't really had a lot of time to look at it closely. I just wanted to take a couple of weeks relaxing before deciding what to do."

Although the Potteries-born striker still wants to break into the first team at Stoke, he is realistic enough to know that first team football is much more likely to get him noticed.

"If I'm going to play, I've always wanted to stay at Stoke and try to make a name here, but sometimes you can stay for too long if you're not playing.

"I think I did okay at Grimsby Town, and I don't mind if Stoke send me out on loan again to prove myself if that's what it takes."

At the time of the interview Paterson had not spoken to prospective managers wanting to bring him on loan, although Town boss Alan Buckley has admitted he is keen to see the young striker return on loan to Blundell Park.

"There's been no approach from other clubs, but then again I don't have an agent for people to approach me through anyway.

"I shall keep myself ticking over fitness-wise during the summer rather than lose it and have to get it back when we report for pre-season training."

Whether Paterson would consider a season-long loan from Stoke, or whether a shorter deal is more in his sights is not known.