GRIMSBY EYE MENDONCA
Mendonca, a hat-trick hero at Wembley in the 1998 play-off final for Athletic, has been out for the last year and a half because of injury, but has been targeted by striker-shy Grimsby.
The 32-year-old striker scored 66 goals in a four-and-a-half year spell at Blundell Park before joining The Addicks for £700,000 in the summer of 1997 and his signing would be a much-needed boost for the beleagured Mariners who currently lie second-bottom of the First Division.
"There's a big question mark over his fitness." Lawrence admitted. "He's been out a long time in the last 18 months, but if he's fit I'd love to sign him.
"If they wanted to do it, and he did, I'd take him tomorrow. I've had several conversations with them about it and I think they might be willing to do it if they can get the rest of their strikers fit.
"I sent somebody to watch him in the reserves last night, but he didn't play. They tell me he's on his way back but then when I send somebody to watch him, he didn't play.
"He'd bring experience and goalscoring, and it would put people on the gate. I've thought about everything that he would bring. But I can't move until he's fit and they agree to do it.
"I must have a striker in by Saturday, whatever I do."
Lawrence has also been linked with Burnley reserve and Northern Ireland international Phil Gray - who has been out of sorts at Turf Moor - and has seen Paul Robinson arrive at the club on a month's loan from Wimbledon.
