Marshall pens non-contract deal

Long-term trialist Marshall has been handed the squad number 30 and is likely to go straight into the squad for tomorrow's match at home to Bristol Rovers, should the neccesary paperwork arrive in time.

The former Cambridge goalkeeper has long been admired by boss Gudjon Thordarson, though the Icelandic has been unable to complete the deal for the 26-year-old due to the complex situation of Saul Deeney.

The new deputy

Deeney has been looking for a move away from Meadow Lane since turning down a fresh two-year deal in the summer. However, clubs interested in the Irishman have proved reluctant to pay the neccesary compensation figure for the 22-year-old.

This has meant the Magpies keeping Deeney on a week-to-week deal, meaning Thordarson has been forced to use the want-away keeper as Kevin Pilkington's understudy until a move materialises.

A move for Marshall has been in the offing since he impressed in the 2-1 Bass Vase Final victory over Burton Albion. However, the club are unable to finance having three senior goalkeeper's on the books.

However, the move to sign Marshall on a non-contract basis means that it is now certain that Deeney has played his last game for the Magpies, with Marshall now likely to take his place on the bench for upcoming matches.

Should the Irish under-21 custodian finally seal a move elsewhere, then Marshall will complete his permanent move to Meadow Lane.

However, with the transfer window set to close in just 5 days, there is still a lot of uncertainty as to whom will be competing with Pilkington for a spot between the sticks in the upcoming season.

New-boy Marshall has spent his entire professional career with the U's, making 182 appearences, before being released in the summer due to financial constraints.

For all the latest transfer news prior to the closure of the transfer window, be sure to keep checking back to NCM.