Latest Transfer News

By Longsider
March 9 2005

Steve Cotterill looks as though he has been a busy man over the last few weeks as his quest to bring players to the club continues.

Steve Cotterill admitted yesterday that he had spoken to the agent of Luton Town striker Steve Howard. Howard has scored 18 goals so far this season which has seen the Hatters at the top of League 1 for most of the campaign, in the last 5 seasons with the Kenilworth Road club he has scored 78 league goals in 159 games, and the striker is out of contract in the Summer.

Nottingham Forest had a bid rejected for the 28 year old earlier this season and Luton are unlikely to sell him before the transfer deadline due to their current league position so it is likely that if Howard is to come to Turf Moor is will be in the Summer months.

Steve Cotterill has denied any interest in Cheltenham winger Martin Devaney but newspapers from the Cheltenham area are reporting a differently to this view. This is taken from the Western Daily Press.

Cheltenham Town boss John Ward last night welcomed the news that Burnley had withdrawn their bid for Martin Devaney. The Championship side's manager Steve Cotterill was keen to be re-united with the winger he signed for the Robins in 1999.

But he is sure to be less than pleased that his interest was made public and so Devaney could now see out his contract, which has less than four months left to run.

The 24-year-old will, however, not receive a third offer of a new deal from the Whaddon Road club.

Burnley could return and sign Devaney on a Bosman free transfer in the summer but are expected to face competition from League Two leaders Yeovil Town.

Devaney is now likely to be in Cheltenham's squad to visit Scunthorpe on Saturday - if he overcomes a sore knee.

Ward said: "Martin and I have talked about it (the withdrawal) and Martin is a good professional and a very level-headed young man and he will just get on with it.

If Yeovil are the only other club interested in Devaney then it is highly likely he would choose Burnley if we are to offer him a contract.