Clarets linked with Jones

The 29 year old Northern Ireland international started his career with Blackpool but dropped into non-league football with Leigh RMI and in the Republic of Ireland with Sligo Rovers without ever having played a game for the Seasiders.

He was snapped up by manager Dario G in the summer of 2001; he paid Leigh £75,000 for him, and has gone on to play over 150 games for them, scoring 44 goals. He failed to break into the first team in his first season and joined Rochdale on loan but in the following season he established himself as a first team regular.

He is described by Crewe as a player of extreme pace, and a player equally at home whether playing as a striker or as a wide player but Dario is now resigned to losing him. “We offered him a very good contract last season but he decided not to sign it. I thought it was a great offer, in fact I don't think we could afford to make that same offer at the current time.

“I think Steve has known since then that he would probably look around in the summer and see what is on offer and I think he will move on somewhere.”

That somewhere could be Burnley, according to some sources it is a very good bet that it will be, but other clubs, particularly Plymouth and Stoke have also been linked with him.

Meanwhile, there could be news of a signing very soon. It looks as though Graham Branch is set to extend his stay at Turf Moor by signing a new contract, expected to be another one year deal.

Branchy, our longest serving player, has been with the club since the end of 1998 and the new deal could be confirmed even before the end of this season.