No New Jonah

Dario Gradi has ruled out Grimsby’s Rob Jones as a transfer target for this summer. The 26 year old was forced off after 28 minutes in Grimsby’s play-off semi final victory last night. Dario and Neil Baker were due to watch Jones play in the first leg, but his first child’s birth meant that he missed the game. Jones was due to be out of contract this summer, though Grimsby exercised a one-year option on his contract meaning that a fee would have been payable for the 6’7 centre back.

However, as previously reported on Vital Football – Crewe Order Big Macs, Dario still holds an interest in 3 of the other centre backs playing in last night’s game. Grimsby centre-back Ben Futcher, also 6’7 is another who has interested Dario in the past. The 24-year old scored in last night’s game and may be one that Dario decides to keep an eye on. January transfer target Gareth McAuley also played last night, though the Nothern Ireland international had a poor game. McAuley is, however, out-of-contract this summer, and with Lincoln set for another season in League 2, McAuley is almost certain to leave. Fellow Lincoln centre-back Jamie McCombe is another who may be of interest to Dario, having won their player-of-the-season vote and captained the side to the play-offs.