Norwegians and Full Backs

By Neil Ravenscroft
September 1 2003

The assumption that Akinbiyi was the player Colin Lee was talking to last week turns out to be wrong, as Walsall are gazumped by Glasgow Rangers.

The Express & Star is reporting that Jeff Bonser has agreed to the funding of another striker, following our unsuccessful attempts to make a signing last week.

Adi Akinbiyi's agent had said that he hadn't spoken to Walsall for a week or more and that turns out to be right, as the paper reveled that Lee was in advanced negotiations with Blackburn Rover's Norwegian striker, Egil Ostenstad. Glasgow Rangers have now stepped in to sign him, however, with the money from the Barry Ferguson deal. Whether, with the promise from the owner, Lee can go back for Akinbiyi or will now move on remains to be seen, but a loan deal for Peter Crouch is rumoured.

Meanwhile, the Evening Mail is reporting that Lee will sign a full back within the next 24 hours as cover for Zigor, who will get a three match ban after Saturday.