Keates won’t come cheap

Lincoln City have told Walsall to cough up £25,000 if they want to sign dynamic midfielder Dean Keates.

The former Saddler is keen to return to his first club after handing in a written transfer request, but the Imps are determined he won’t be leaving Sincil Bank for nothing.

That may scupper Keates’ hopes for a move back to the Bescot Stadium as Walsall are unwilling to fork out any cash and may instead look elsewhere if Lincoln insist on a fee.

Since they signed Jorge Leitao for £150,000 in 2000, the Saddlers have only ‘bought’ one player since, with the £4,000 handed to Chippenham Town for striker James Constable the only fee they have paid in over five years.

But having received a financial settlement from the Irish FA to release Steve Staunton to take over the Ireland hotseat, Paul Merson’s will at least have some money in the coffers, but whether they will want to splash the chas remains to be seen.

Keates’ request to leave is a blow for boss Keith Alexander, with the diminutive midfield man proving to be a revelation for the Imps after his arrival from Kidderminster in the summer.

But the 27-year-old is said to be unhappy with a six-hour round drive from his west country home every day and wants a move back to the midlands.