LANCASTER City will "almost definitely" finally sign Leigh RMI striker David Eatock tonight (Thursday).

Eatock, 24, was leading scorer for Newcastle United reserves last season. Keegan had signed him for the North East giants from Chorley for £20,000.

City manager Tony Hesketh has been trying to sign Eatock since before Christmas and he has been to the Giant Axe for talks on several occasions.

Hesketh commented: "I'm sure the deal is going to go through now that Leigh have finally released him. He's not a bustling, old fashioned centre forward but a smaller player. He's got a real eye for goal and is very skilful. He really wants to stay in the game and I'm sure he'd do very well here."

Eatock's three year career at Newcastle United was curtailed by injury. He signed for Leigh RMI (currently top of the league) at the end of November but has failed to establish himself in the side.

Lancaster management's long time search for a centre forward intensified after it emerged that Neil Morton is likely to be out until the end of the season.

Two trialists - both recently released by Oldham Athletic - also joined the club this week so Hesketh could look at them more closely. Pat Johnstone and Lee Clitheroe. Johnstone came on as a substitute during Saturday's away match at Gainsborough. He had impressed in a reserve match previously.

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