Forgotten Town full-back Gary Croft was spotted at Blundell Park, Cleethorpes yesterday prompting speculation that the ex-Grimsby player could be about to make a loan return to his old club. The Town defender watched as Grimsby beat Portsmouth 3-1.

Croft said back in August that a loan move would be in his interest: "I've had a word with the manager about going on loan for a month if that was possible. I think it might be a good way to really get myself right for what I hope will be a first team career again."

At the time Sheffield United and West Brom were mentioned, but nothing came of either link.

Grimsby sacked manager Lennie Lawrence last week and Croft's former team-mate Paul Groves has taken over as boss for the time being. Bringing Croft in could well be one of his first managerial moves.

Elsewhere tabloid stories again claim Town are about to sell Titus Bramble. Bramble, who missed out with injury yesterday, is said to be on the verge of being sold for £7 million to an unnamed club. Last week the papers claimed that Charlton were about to swoop for Bramble for a much lower price.

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