THE Singapore Sling could be all set to throw Radcliffe Borough a lifeline as they seek to get back on track in their bid for UniBond League Premier Division status.

Four games without a win, three of them defeats have put a bit of a dampener on things after Radcliffe's early season run to the top of the UniBond Division One table, which they maintained until just a couple of weeks ago.

But the management have moved to try to put a bit of zip back into things with the signing of former Morecambe striker, Barrie Keeling.

The 23-year-old Chadderton-based player has recently returned from a spell with Singapore S League side Marine Castle United and has signed on for Boro while he awaits news of a proposed move to America in April. Boro skipper Mark Dempsey knows Keeling, a near neighbour of the Boro midfield ace, and he came down to train at Stainton Park and was asked to sign on for the club.

He started out as a YTS at Manchester City before moving on to Morecambe and then going out on loan to Bamber Bridge where he was playing last season.

Keeling can also play at right back, in midfield and as a central defender, the position he occupied for Marine Castle in Singapore.

Boro are waiting for Keeling's international clearance to come through, but are hoping he will be available for Saturday's trip to Workington.

"I went down to watch Radcliffe last Saturday. I have trained with them after Mark approached me and I am looking forward to it as I wanted to find a club and keep fit. We will just have to see how it goes," added Keeling.

Assistant manager Mike Farrelly said: "Barrie played against us three years ago for Morecambe Reserves. He was hoping to break through into their first team and play in the Conference, then he went on loan to Bamber Bridge.

"He should be OK for Saturday as long as his clearance comes through and he will be involved, hopefully."

Looking back to last Saturday's 0-0 home draw with North Ferriby, Farrelly said: "I thought we played all right. We were just a bit unlucky with a couple of decisions. We played some decent stuff.

"We just need a little bit of luck in front of goal and then we will hopefully get that win we need and get back to normal."

Dempsey will be missing on Saturday as he has coaching commitments and the midfield will be further hit by the suspension of Eamon Elliott. He has been banned for one match after picking up five bookings. That could leave an opening for Eamon Kelly in the engine room. He has had to be content with a place on the bench recently and the odd run out in the first team, but with only Scot Wilson available for the trip to Cumbria, Eamon could find himself making a rare start at Borough Park.

Workington are managed by former Newcastle United, Burnley and Northern Ireland international, Tommy Cassidy. He took over from another ex-Burnley player, Peter Hampton, who also played for Leeds United and Stoke City, when he was sacked at the end of October.

Workington have enjoyed a great run recently, having gone five games undefeated in the league, including last Saturday's 4-0 home win over Farsley Celtic.

They have been hit by injuries this week though with seven players on the treatment table following the Farsley game. The worst affected are midfielder Graham Goulding, left back Craig Potts, striker Barrie Irvine, midfield man Darren Wilson and right back Damien Maw.

"We had a settled side for the last five or six weeks. We had a good win last Saturday and could have scored a lot more goals," said Cassidy.

"Saturday's game against Radcliffe is a big one for us. They had been going well all season. I just hope they don't get back on track this Saturday!"