Stoke City are reported to have shown an interest in keeper Andy Marshall while James Pullen, also offered a free trasnfer, is claimed to be a target of Grimsby Town.

The 28-year-old yesterday spoke of interest in him from an unnamed club with Portsmouth the only name to have previously been linked.

With Marshall, who joined Town in the summer of 2001 fon a Bosman, on a reported £15,000-a-week, Stoke would be unable to come anywhere near matching his earnings. However, with Joe Royle not having him in his plans and only one year left on his contract, Marshall may feel that now is the time to move on for first team football.

Pullen says he would be chuffed to hear from Grimsby, who have let Danny Coyne go to Leicester on a free, if they come calling: "If they were interested then I would be delighted to hear from them.

“I have proved I'm capable of playing in the Second Division and I would welcome the opportunity to play there again.”

Pullen spent 2001/02 on loan with Blackpool in Division Two.

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