Mariners still keen on Santos

Player-manager Paul Groves is keen for the experienced defender to stay at Blundell Park for the remainder of the campaign after his short-term deal expired before the Mariners 6-5 win against Burnley last week.

A club spokesman said: "The club are still interested, but there is no news as yet. He left us last week but we are hopeful a deal can be done as we would like to keep him until the end of the season.

"He is suspended for another two games anyway, so that's another fortnight, which gives us a bit more time to get something sorted out.

"We imagine it will be decided one way or the other by the end of this week. We want him to stay but it is a question of carving out the right package that suits both him and the club."