Australia News
Blades Mission For Mariners Boss
EXCLUSIVE: Lawrie McKinna is preparing to bolster his squad from the ranks of English Championship side Sheffield United but somehow doubts David Carney or James Beattie will be joining him on the return flight to Australia.
The Central Coast Mariners boss will head for England in the coming days to meet his United counterpart Kevin Blackwell and hopefully tee up a deal or two for the coming season.The Gosford outfit recently agreed a football development agreement with the Blades and part of that deal allows for the respective clubs to benefit from each other’s playing staff.
McKinna has already added Adrian Caceres and Ahmad Elrich to the Mariners’ ranks and while he insists there is no panic to nail down further additions, there are still gaps in the squad to be filled.
Dwight Yorke has been ruled out as a potential target but McKinna is quite literally prepared to go the distance in trying to find quality signings.
He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I think we’re looking at another two or three players. I will be going over to Sheffield United to have a look.”
A striker is thought to be a top priority but McKinna somehow doubts that United will be open to loaning out the likes of former Everton forward James Beattie or Socceroo David Carney.
He joked: “That would be great wouldn’t it? Not sure that’s going to happen though. No, we’ll just have a look at the situation and hope there might be someone in their squad that could benefit us.”
Sheffield United also have an agreement with Chinese outfit Chengdu so that could be another recruitment avenue for McKinna. The Mariners are still hopeful of arranging a pre-season trip to China and that too could open doors for the Bluetongue boys.
However, one player linked with the club recently looks unlikely to be heading for the Central Coast.
Adelaide United midfielder Kristian Sarkies has been mentioned with regard to a possible switch but au.fourfourtwo.com understands that the Olyroo man is not on McKinna’s transfer radar.
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