Fringe players impress for Bully

Stafford manager Steve Bull could suddenly be awash with strikers for Saturday's clash with Redditch - as highly-rated goalkeeper Danny Alcock took a step closer to a first team return.

Last night's reserve team match against Burton gave some of the fringe players at Marston Road a chance to impress, with squad strikers Paul McMahon and Darryl Proffitt among those staking their claims.

But the man everybody was looking at was trialist Mark Gardner, brother of Villa midfielder Craig.

He impressed in his return to reserve team action, with Bully set to sit down with the player with a view to a short-term deal, enabling him to come into contention for Saturday's Blue Square North fixture.

The Rangers boss is also delighted to welcome back Alcock, regarded as one of the finest stoppers in non-league, who got 90 minutes under his belt in his return from a dislocated elbow.

Bull said: "I have had positive reports about Paul and Darryl, and I am obviously delighted that Danny came through the game unscathed. He will now come into contention for Saturday.

"I am waiting for Mark to ring me today and he should be coming to tonight's training session. I haven't had the opportunity to sit down with him at all yet, so I don't know what his plans are.

"It all depends on what he wants and what we can offer him."