Search Goes On

Glenn Roeder admits time is running out as he looks around Europe for a centre half - but he is taking a close look at Arsenal's David Noble.

With 32 year old Panathanaikos defender Leonidas Vokolos in training at Chadwell Heath, Glenn is continuing to look at other options as the clock ticks on the transfer window.

Since Titi Camara left the club on loan in Saudi Arabia until the end of the season, funds are available for the right man to boost a defence that has conceded 15 goals in four games, but Glenn admits:

"There is no news defensively and time is running out, but never say never - we have got until Friday night.

"David Noble, a young midfield player, has come to us from Arsenal and I have enjoyed watching his qualities in training in the last couple of days."

Meanwhile, talking of his decision to sell Grant McCann to Cheltenham, he says:

"I felt it was the right thing to do; his first team opportunities were always going to be limited here and he is at an age where he is ambitious to play first team football.

"Cheltenham can guarantee him that, and he likes the club as much as they like him.

"There are very few money transfers with clubs in the second and third divisions so when we were offered the £50,000 with a sell-on it was an opportunity for us to accept - and for Grant to get on with his career.

"He was one of the first players I worked with when I came to the club and I always enjoyed working with him - he was always coachable and a good listener.

"He is a decent young professional and like others who have left in the last 18 months to have careers he needs to do that himself now.

"We really wish him well; he didn't cause us any trouble when he was at the club, he graduated to the full Northern Ireland squad when he was with us and I am sure he will continue to play for them and do really well.

"We will continue to monitor his progress and hope one day we will realise that 25% sell-on we have got."