Dario Gradi has told the club's official web-site of his disappointment in missing out on Mansfield Town's highly-rated midfielder Liam Lawrence. The Alex boss had targeted the blonde midfield man after discovering he was available on a Bosman free transfer, and with the Alex prepared to pay the compensation fee, the club were hopeful of securing the 22-year-old.

Dario held talks with Lawrence before he embarked on a holiday (ironically with our own Andy White) but unfortunately Lawrence has elected to join another club in the First Division. Lawrence who scored 22 goals last season in all competitions, has been linked with a possible move to Sunderland, Rotherham and Nottingham Forest in recent weeks, but nothing has been confirmed as yet.

Dario told crewealex.net: "We enquired about Liam Lawrence because he is available on a Bosman but he has decided to go somewhere else. He has decided to go to a bigger club than us in the First Division and of course we are disappointed to lose out on him because he would have improved the team, especially with the goals he gets from midfield.

"I spoke to Liam on the phone and he basically told me that he is going to sign for someone else, but I enjoyed talking to him and I think he would have enjoyed coming here. I think he would have fitted in very well and everyone at Mansfield speaks very highly of him.

"I'm still waiting for the announcement that he has signed elsewhere and until that happens then you never know, but I fully expect him to be playing against us next season instead of for us.