MARCUS McDonald has been left scratching his head over attempts to sign goalkpper Aaron Gayle.

The Cradley Town boss thought Gayle would be available for this Saturday’s trip to Dudley Town - until he found out the keeper had signed in pre-season for West Midlands Premier League rivals Bromsgrove Sporting.

Gayle has also had spells with Lye Town and Bartley Green this season and Cradley originally put in seven days notice with Green, only then to be told it was Sporting who held his registration for the West Midlands League.

“I’m a bit confused by it all,” said McDonald. “And now Bromsgrove don’t want to wave the seven days even though Aaron hasn’t played for them.

“It could be 28 days now before he could play for us. I’m a bit disappointed as we let Danny Pitt got to Bromsgrove and waved the seven days for him. He hasn’t played for them this season so maybe it’s Bromsgrove trying to act the big boys, I haven’t got a clue, it’s not like the lad is going to play them.”

McDonald may now turn his attention short term to former Tividale keeper Tim Beech who was with the Hammers boss in his previous spell at Beeches View Avenue as he prepared for last night’s home game with title-chasing Pegasus Juniors..

Young right-back Jordan Bladen will join his brother Chris at Cradley adding to the young crop of players already there.

“We have a very young side and are really looking to next season but we could still nick a top six finish this season.,”said McDonald. “We have struggled against the top teams as we are not quite strong enough yet but hopefully by Christmas we should have a bit more of a settled side.”

Matt Vaughan looks set to miss at least one game - the FA Vase tie at Dudley Sport on October 19 - after being sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Shawbury United.

Cradley are away to Dudley Sports on Tuesday.