Blues reinforce but injury list grows

Leek Town manager Lee Casswell swooped to sign former Macclesfield Town defender Michael Thomas from Colwyn Bay on Saturday, writes Michael Cope.

Thomas, who can play in defence or midfield, returns to Harrison Park after enjoying and extended loan spell last season during which he made 20 appearances.

He initially joined Lthe Evo-Stik NPL First Division South side in August 2011 on a three month loan deal from the Silkmen but returned to the Moss Rose where he made 10 first team appearances before being released at the end of the season.

Thomas joined Conference North Colwyn Bay during the summer but struggled to break into the team and made only one start for the Seagulls before returning to Harrison Park.

Leek say Bay manager Jon Newby waived the required 7-days notice of approach but Thomas’s first game for the club will be delayed pending international clearance from the FA of Wales.

Meanwhile, talented midfielder Christian Millar appears to have played his last game for the club after failing to win a shirt in the last two matches.

He began his career with the Stoke City Academy before moving on to Macclesfield Town where he made three Football League appearances. Millar then enjoyed a spell on loan at Stafford Rangers before moving on to Buxton and then Witton Albion.

Millar signed for Leek in September 2010 and went on to make 82 appearances while scoring six goals.

On the injury front new signing Dan Shelley has been added to Leek's walking wounded after pulling a muscle in his thigh during Saturday's FA Cup game against Altrincham.

The former Crewe midfielder joins the Town's injured list alongside Anthony Danylyk who is seeking treatment for a damaged ankle.

In better news for manager Lee Casswell, Dan Cope is on the way to a full recovery after a knee injury and would have played for the reserves on Saturday but for a registration technicality.

Casswell will now allow the fleet-footed striker to go on loan at Alsager Town to get games under his belt and he may be joined at Wood Park by defender Mark Ruddock who is also in need of match practice.

Goalkeeper Danny Roberts has also signalled his return to fitness after breaking a finger with a place on the bench in the defeat by Altrincham.

Defender Dan Smith will miss the league trip to Lincoln on Saturday while sitting out a one-match ban after picking up two yellow cards in the Altrincham clash.