United Turn Down Holmes Loan Deal

Derek Holmes

That is the line coming out of Brunton Park but City see things differently with their Chairman Stephen Vaughan suggesting that they had agreed a fee for the big Scot before the close of the January transfer window, Vaughan commenting : "We were in for him and we were hoping he'd come in on loan but it broke down on personal terms. We're willing to take his wages over and we'll take him if the lad will come. The club has agreed to let him out on loan, it's whether he'll come."

However United boss Neil McDonald, who has a different view, said : "They inquired about Derek Holmes before the deadline finished, I'm slightly disappointed in Chester that they have hung their washing out in the open. That was a private conversation that we had, I spoke to Derek and he knows all about it, he's still very much in our plans at the moment and until that changes he'll stay with us."

Whichever story you believe it seems more than likely that Holmes, who has been used as a back-up player only at Brunton Park this season, will not be offered a new deal with the Cumbrians at the end of the current campaign. As Chester seemingly wanted to sign Holmes on-loan or on a permanent deal it could be that a long-term move to the Deva Stadium is in the offing for the Lanark-born striker this summer.