Fans want loan star

Last updated : 07 April 2009 By Dane Vincent

Sign him up!: Picken has impressed Magpies fans.
Notts County supporters have declared that they want on-loan full-back Phil Picken to join the club in the summer.

In the site's latest poll fans were asked: Would you welcome the permanent signing of Phil Picken?

Of the 142 people that participated, 135 (95.1 percent) stated that they want Ian McParland to bring the Chesterfield man to Meadow Lane past his loan deal, which expires at the end of the season.

However, he has another year left on his Spireites contract meaning that a fee may be required.

This could prove to be a stumbling block in any attempts to secure his signature.

With nine defenders on the books in addition to another two on loan it is highly possible the former Manchester United trainee has no future at Saltergate.

As a result Lee Richardson may allow him to leave without a fee, giving him more freedom to bring in fresh faces during the close season.

Picken has evidently impressed fans and management team alike with a regular starting berth that has seen him turn out 17 times in the black and white stripes.

Included in this was his man of the match display against Chester City at the weekend.