Rangers wait on Thorley return

The teenage midfielder was one of the stars of the early season for Rangers, after spending two months at the club from Premier League side Stoke.

Thorley has since spent a month at Burscough but his stock has continued to rise at the Britannia Stadium, evidenced by his display for the Potters' second-spring against Arsenal last night - in front of Brindley.

It was the 19-year-old that provided the attacking impetus for his side and grabbed the second goal in a 2-2 draw, against a Gunners side containing Jack Wilshere, Amaury Bischoff and Eduardo.

Such a display means Rangers may not be the only club looking to take him on loan for the rest of the season and - with Brindley not having the financial muscle to fight against anybody at the minute - all he can do is see how it pans out.

Brindley said: "I was there to see Tom against Arsenal last night, and he played well. It may have done us out of trying to get him. Until the end of the month, Stoke will act in their own best interests and the best interests of the player, so we can only see what happens."

The Rangers' boss is also interested in another former Stoke loan star, Jimmy Phillips, who only left Marston Road last month in the wake of former manager Steve Bull's departure, after two months down from the Britannia.

Again, there may be other interest, with Blue Square Premier outfit Northwich Victoria thought to be in the hunt.

Marc Grocott is another Stoke player with Stafford loan experience, and he skippered the side against Arsenal.

Brindley is likely to be forced to wait whatever happens.

He said: "If I hang on until the end of the month, I may be able to get one lad in from Stoke. I will have to do that. If players have not been fixed up by then, obviously we may havean opportunity. We will do whatever we can.

"Thats is it basically, that is the situation."