Imps ooze Six appeal as new faces fly in

Last updated : 01 July 2005 By Gary Hutchinson
£60,000 for 14 months loan at Watford: Mayo
The news of fresh faces was expected as City announced several of the players had already agreed deals with the club but their names would remain a secret until Friday. In light of reputed promises by Peter Gain and Kevin Samdwith that they would stay at the club this seemed a wise move.

It was Sandwiths replacement that caused the most raised eyebrows. Lincoln boy Paul Mayo returns from his 14 months at Watford to once again slot in on the left of the City defence. He made 125 appearances for the club before a £120,000 move to the Hornets last year. After featuring 27 times for Watford manager Ady Boothroyd chose to release him and despite interest from Swindon he signs a two year deal with the club.

Following Mayo from Watford is forward Omari Coleman. Coleman moved to Watford from Dulwich and Hamlet but failed to make the first team following a ligament injury. Coleman is now back to full fitness and has a one year contract in which to show Keith Alexander his talent. The fact he signed directly for a League One side suggests Ray Lewington saw potential in the 24 year old which may be The Imps gain.

The transfer tribunal panel will have two
England captain Scott Kerr
cases to look at in the coming weeks as 23 year old Scott Kerr and 24 year old Colin Cryan both move from Scarborough. Both were heavily tipped to sign for the Imps earlier this month, but today both penned two year deals to pledge their immediate future to City. Cryan is an ex Eire Under 21 international who started out at Sheff Utd before moving to The Seadogs initially on loan. Cryan can play in several positions across the back four as well as further up the pitch in midfield.

Scott Kerr is an England non league captain who has had previous league experience at Bradford City and Hull City. At Bradford he made 1 Premiership appearance as well as an Intertoto cup outing. More recently he forced his way into the National XI side managed by Barnet boss Paul Fairclough, a man who also coveted Kerr's services. Kerr was Scarborough player of the season last campaign and both will command a nominal transfer fee.

Steve 'Turbo' Robinson
Experience has been added to the midfield by the arrival of Swindons Steve Robinson. 29 year old Robinson is a midfield player with tireless energy who carries the nickname 'Turbo' from his days at The County Ground. Robinson began at Birmingham City and has had spells at Swindon and Peterborough. Robinson suffered an injury in January 2004 that ended his season, but he returned to make 22 appearances last year before being released. Robinson also signs a one year deal with City.

The sixth and final signing of the day saw Keith raid Kidderminster for a second time to bring in 27 year old Dean Keates. Keates is a goalscoring midfielder who has served time with Walsall and Hull City before his move to Aggborough. Keates has a powerful shot and an engine that never seems to stop running and will add further steel to the centre of the park desolated by the loss of
Keith pulled of something of a coup in capturing Keates
Gainy, Butcher and Hanlon.

LCM sees the arrivals serving several different purposes in Keiths squad. Theres little doubt the Paul Mayo will feature heavily in the first XI on the left with a space also possibly being opened up for Colin Cryan. In the centre of the park it seems Kerr may fill the Butcher role and should Keith stick with the 5-2-3 of previous seasons Keates will almost certainly partner him. Steve Robinson could see a prolonged spell sat on the bench.

Up front is anyones guess so Coleman will have to take his chance ahead of Danny Bacon and Gary Birch to fill one of two possible openings.

Highly-rated Irish left back Jeff Hughes (19) has also arrived from Larne, while former Notts County midfielder Willis Francis (19) - who spent last season at Grantham Town - has also been given a chance to impress with both players coming in on trial.