Laws moves to keep McCombe at Glanford Park

The towering defender found himself at the centre of an unlikley battle of wits between The Imps and local rivals Scunthorpe earlier in the month, with Iron manager Brian Laws stubbornly refusing to allow McCombe to leave the club.

McCombe had been told that his contract would not be renewed in the summer and was free to try and find himself a new club, prompting his agent Craig Allardyce to set up a deal with the Imps. McCombe was all set to sign for City prior to the 1-1 draw with the Iron a week or two ago.

But Laws refused to allow the player to leave as he was 'needed for defensive cover' so City asked the FA to rule on the dispute. The FA's tribunal are currently reviewing the case, and were doing when McCombe made an appearance as a late substitute in the Lincolnshire derby.

The bitter dispute with Scunthorpe has apparently served the player with a motivational boost, prompting Iron boss Laws to consider offering him a deal to stay with the club.

He said: "If he shows that in games then there is an opportunity for him, if he does the things we know he can do then he might find himself here next season.

"If he does the right things then I will change my opinions."

It certainly seems as if Laws will stop at nothing to sour relations between the two clubs. He had earlier in the season agreed the release McCombe, and has only now chosen to try and keep the player in the wake of Lincolns interest. However with McCombe having handed in a transfer request, the drama is no closer to reaching a satisfactory conclusion.