Robins eye Boulding brothers

Strike duo interest Downing

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 19th July 2008

Michael Boulding

Boulding: Older brother, Michael

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Cheltenham remain hopeful of completing deals for Michael Boulding and his brother, Rory.

Both players were at Mansfield last season and are set for further discussions with Robins boss Keith Downing next week.

Michael Boulding scored 25 goals for the struggling Stags last season, while his younger brother, who is also a striker, is a product of the youth academy at Field Mill.

Downing admits that he is hoping to have agreements with the players tied up within the next few days.

"I spoke to Michael and we are a bit further down the line with it," he told the club's official website.

"He is due in on Monday so hopefully we can finalise the talks. I'm also interested in his brother as part of the deal and hopefully in the next two or three days we can push that on.

"He's got plenty of interest from elsewhere but he is keen to play at the highest level he can so we have a chance and it's up to us to try and secure him. I am hopeful."

Gall

Meanwhile, Downing is also hoping to talk with out of favour Carlisle striker Kevin Gall in the coming days, as well as making a decision on the numerous trialists who have spent the close season with the club.

"Kevin Gall has been pre-season training this week in Scotland with Carlisle so I am hoping to speak to him next week," he added.

"I'm hoping that over the next two or three weeks we can get two, three or four players in.

"I'll decide this weekend whether one or two of the trialists will come back and we'll look again for another week."

Barnes

Just one of the players Downing will be running the rule over is former Manchester United youngster Michael Barnes.

The 20-year-old winger recently spent an unsuccessful trial period at Bristol City, but did enough to ensure that Gary Johnson recommended him to Downing.

"He can play either side, and we are going to have a look at him," the Cheltenham boss told The Citizen.

"He was at Bristol City and they decided not to take him, and I spoke to Gary Johnson who said he is worth a look."