On-trial defender Ben Thatcher says he jumped at the chance to join the Blues on trial. Thatcher, 32, has left Charlton after the offer of a new deal with the Addicks was withdraw and played 45 minutes for Town against Cliftonville last night.

Thatcher, who had been training on his own at home, said: "I had a phone call from Jim Magilton and I was delighted to jump at the chance. There are only so many times you can run on the treadmill.

"They are looking at me and I'm looking at them. I needed to be playing pre-season games. I was happy to get minutes under my belt and go from there. I'm hoping he offers me something.”

Thatcher was initially offered an 18-month deal by Charlton, but financial constraints meant the terms were withdrawn over the summer.

Elsewhere, Falkrik boss John Hughes is not ruling out Shane Supple returning to his side for a further loan spell this season. The SPL side currently have only one keeper and are likely to take another on loan before 2008/09 starts.

Supple is the only keeper with the Blues at present, so no move is likely until Richard Wright or another stopper is secured, while Supple's temporary exit would mean another keeper coming in as cover.

The man who took that role from January to May, Nick Colgan, has joined Bradford City on trial.

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