Rangers miss out on Stoke starlets

Stafford Rangers manager Greg Clowes today revealed he has been thwarted in his attempts to land a left winger on loan from Premier League club Stoke.

The Rangers boss had two targets to replace the injured Jon Sheldon, but the Potters don't want to let either starlet out with their own fixture list.

Stoke have youth games and are still involved in the Staffordshire Senior Cup, reaching the semi-final with a 2-1 at Hednesford last Tuesday night.

Clowes was on hand at Keys Park to run the rule over the Stoke line-up and, after Sheldon was hurt last weekend, moved for two of that side.

While the manager refused to confirm the identities of the duo, Andrew Hall was an attacking left-back that night with Andrew Musungu in front of him.

But the move has not come off for Clowes, who will find a replacement from his current ranks for Saturday's trip to Mickleover Sports.

He said: "We have spoken to Stoke about a couple of loanees but that's not going to happen, at the moment.

"They are stretched with youth and senior cups, so there will be nothing coming in for this weekend.

"Stoke have also asked me not to release those names, either, but it doesn't mean the door is closed.

"I have got a good contact there in David Kevan, the academy manager, and we will carry on pursuing them.

"If the situation was different, we would have a left winger, I saw two of their lads who could have done well for us."

Clowes was also due to be scouting for a new striker in the Liverpool area this week but called off the trip, as his main target wasn't playing.

New Mills striker Ben Deegan has been a long-standing target but is settled in the Manchester area, where he works for Virgin.

With that in mind, Clowes is pursuing other targets to replace departed 11-goal top scorer Neville Thompson.

He said: "Still on the agenda is a big centre forward but I am banging my head against a break wall, as it stands.

"I haven't spoken to Ben, as I haven't made an official approach, but I have been made aware of his situation.

"He knows we are interested in him, the ball is still in his court but I can't approach him."