Bully lets Grocott return to Stoke

Stafford manager Steve Bull has allowed attacker Marc Grocott to return to Stoke after his one-month loan deal ended at Marston Road.

The Potters youngster has been in and out of the team since he arrived at the club and, with two new strikers and a midfielder coming into the club this month, Bully has sacrificed Grocott to balance the books.

The Stafford boss has confirmed that he will be back in touch with Stoke in the near future, with the future of another Marston Road Stoke loanee in Jimmy Phillips one item to sort out.

There is also another reason to talk to the powers-that-be at the Britannia Stadium - the plan is to move heaven and earth to get Tom Thorley back on loan at Rangers.

Bull said: "Marc has gone back now. I have got quite a few midfielders and attackers on the books now. I need to balance the books, as I am slightly over budget as it was.

"It is no reflection on him, as he did well for us, but he is possibly just a little bit too similar to Jimmy Phillips, who is a little bit more established. I doubt we will go in for Marc again.

"As for Tom Thorley, all we can do is try and get him back. Whether we will be successful, I don't know at this point. But rest assured we will be asking the question in January and hopefully it will be good news."

Grocott's departure should not make the Rangers squad short of numbers, with a number of attackers available to Bully. Jake Moult has impressed since joining from Leek, while strike duo Mark Magee and Louis Briscoe have signed in the last week alone.

Thorley's versatility made him ideal for Stafford, equally at home in midfield or as a full-back, with defence an area that the team have struggled with of late.

But attacking wise, things are looking a lot rosier, as the manager has noted.

Bully added: "Jake looks like he is going to be a big player for us. Louis and Mark are also looking good in training, so they should put some real pressure on David McNiven for that starting spot."