Harps grant striker debut

Finn Harps' manager Charlie McGeever will be looking to under-21 international striker Stephen Grant to help his side put an end to their early season losing streak at Belfield this evening when the former Shamrock Rovers and Stockport County player is likely to make his debut for the Donegal club.

McGeever has been looking to strengthen the Harps attack for several months now with Paul Wilkinson, formerly of Everton and Middlesbrough, having been the main target in recent weeks.

"He's over here now," said McGeever yesterday, "and I still think that it's a deal that's likely to happen but between one thing and another we couldn't get it done in time for the match in Belfield and Stephen was available so we've brought him in to see how he'll do for us."

Grant, who recently had a month at Burnley and then a week at the New England Revolution, has signed a short-time deal at Finn Park which, if he does well and takes to the set-up, may turn into something more long term. Wilkinson, however, a Louth-born former under-21 international who is now 35, should have completed his move by then, giving McGeever quite a few options in time for next weekend's visit of arch-rivals Derry City.

Having been repeatedly linked with attempts to sign St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Paul Osam over the past couple of months, Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely now looks set to reduce the size of his first team panel.

The club announced yesterday that Stephen Gifford has, at his request, been placed on the transfer list, while former Spurs player Kevin O'Brien has been released after the player made it clear he wanted to get away.

Derry City, meanwhile, will give a four-week trial to former Nigerian under-21 international striker Keleehi Okorie, who has had spells at St Mirren and Vallarenga over the past couple of seasons.

The Brandywell club have persuaded the African to travel to the north west for a month despite having received offers to play in the lower divisions in England. Okorie will arrive in Derry next week and may figure in the league game against neighbours Finn Harps in Ballybofey next weekend.