Ex-Reds star waiting on clearance

Blues manager Neil Baker has agreed terms with the 21-year-old who recently returned to the UK after playing in the US for Sacramento Republic FC last season under former Bristol Rovers boss Paul Buckle following his release by the Premier League's Reds in May 2016.

Liverpool had high hopes for the former England youth international at U18 and U21 levels after beating off stiff competition from Manchester City to sign him from Crewe Alexandra for an initial fee of £300,000 in 2012 before injuries hampered his progress in recent seasons.

A spokesman for the EVO-STIK League South club told fans: "Unfortunately, the club is still awaiting international clearance from the US and the FA for the highly-rated player."

Leek Town boss Baker also apologised to fans on Monday his side's humiliating Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round exit at lower league opposition on Saturday, a 6-1 hammering at Midland League Premier Division and former EVO-STIK League outfit Shepshed Dynamo.

Baker said: “No excuses – we didn’t heed the warnings – they are a good side. We had a good week in training but we didn’t put our planning into practice. We didn’t start the game too well and our defending was poor to say the least. When you play teams from lower leagues it’s all about attitudes and we were lacking in that department.”

Don't miss Saturday's lunchtime club-by-club transfer list throughout the 2017-18 season for the latest confirmed players movements among the EVO-STIK League's 68 clubs over the previous seven days.

Image courtesy of Sacramento Republic FC

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