Thompson targets Mendes

Last updated : 24 June 2006 By Rob Davies
Mendes is a free agent after being released by League One side Huddersfield Town, but has attracted interest from Yeovil Town and Bristol Rovers - as well as the Magpies.

Thompson is hoping Mendes will complete his set of strikers for the upcoming campaign, after the recent acquistitions of Jason Lee, Lawrie Dudfield and Tchan N'Toya.

The Notts manager was disappointed to miss-out on prime target Steve Guinan earlier this week, after the striker opted to stay with Cheltenham, but he is now hoping that the potential signing of Mendes will make-up for the loss.

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The 29-year-old striker has a wealth of lower league experience having played for Huddersfield, Northampton, Grimsby Town and the Stags over the past few years.

"He played at Grimsby and is a very quick and talented lad," Thompson told the Nottingham Evening Post.

"Yeovil want him as well, but I am hoping the fact he has got ties in Notts mean that money won't be the main objective.

"We will have to wait and see."

Mendes impressed during Northampton's 5-2 LDV Cup win over the Magpies last season, scoring with a magnificent strike. He is also known to Notts' First-Team Coach John Gannon, who worked with him at Field Mill.

Meanwhile, Thompson - who has signed nine new players since being appointed 12 days ago - is still looking for two midfield players and a goalkeeper in a bid to complete his swiftly-assembled squad.

The Notts' boss decision to release Chris Palmer, Steve Scoffham and Lewis McMahon earlier this week means that only six players were retained from last season's first-team squad.

Kevin Pilkington, David Pipe, Mike Edwards, Dan Martin, Jake Sheridan and Liam Needham will be the only players attending Thursday's pre-season training that featured for the first-team last season.

Added to those will be YTS defenders Tommy Hannigan and Bobby Wilson, who have both earned professional deals over the summer.

Appointed because of his ability to put together a squad at short notice, Thompson has lived-up to his billing with a ratio of almost a new signing per day since his arrival.

As well as the three new strikers, Alan White, Gary Silk, Steve Hunt, Aaron Austin, Matthew Somner and Andy Parkinson have all agreed deals with the Magpies.



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