CHRIS Waddle has put the ball firmly in Gerry Creaney's court in a bid to resurrect a deal to bring the Manchester City striker to Turf Moor on a permanent basis.

And, after detailed negotiations with the player's agent last night, Waddle was today hoping to hear a positive response.

But he also admitted he didn't know which way it would go.

"I have been allowed to talk with his agent and he knows what we can offer. It's in their hands now," said the manager.

"If he takes it, he takes it but I can't do any more.

"We all know what a big deal he is on with Manchester City but I am now waiting to hear if there is a chance."

It seemed unlikely that anything could be decided in time for Creaney to play at Grimsby tomorrow but, as Waddle has said before, it only takes one telephone call.

Creaney's salary - reported as between £2,000 and £4,000 - at Maine Road has been an obvious stumbling block.

But Burnley are hoping he will accept their offer to kick-start his career again, as he does not seem to have much of a future with City who are willing to let him go.

Waddle, meanwhile, will make a late decision on his own fitness for the game at Grimsby.

He is still suffering from a knee ligament injury and Michael Williams (calf) and Neil Moore (thigh) both picked up knocks in Tuesday's first home defeat of the season by Millwall.

But Waddle was hoping that they would be able to do a full training session with the rest of the squad today.

The main question over team selection will probably depend on whether Waddle himself is fit.

If he is, it will give him other options.

One bonus from Tuesday's disappointment was that Paul Smith got his first start of the season under his belt after being injured just before the real action began.

Apart from personnel, however, the player-manager will be most concerned with the team's attitude as he hinted that he felt there was a certain lack of desire in some quarters against Millwall.

"It's never easy, wherever you go," said Waddle.

"But you go there, work on what has to be done and you have to get the players in the right frame of mind with more desire than we showed (against Millwall).

"If we do that we are capable of getting a result at Grimsby.

"But if we are going to feel sorry for ourselves and let that result upset us, we will have a problem."

Grimsby, beaten 3-0 at Liverpool in the Coca-Cola Cup on Tuesday, are likely to name an unchanged squad if Steve Livingstone shrugs off an Achilles tendon injury.

Manager Alan Buckley was not displeased with his team's performance at Anfield as they fell to a Michael Owen hat-trick.

They have had a problem scoring goals, having drawn a blank in four of their last five League matches.

In the other, they thumped Southend 5-1 and the verdict from Blundell Park is that the Mariners must cash in on the chances they create more often if they are to make significant progress.

Grimsby are expected to choose from: Davison, McDermott, Lever, Handyside, Gallimore, Donovan, Widdrington, Groves, Black, Nogan, Lester, Southall, Jobling, Livingstone.

Burnley were handed a bye to the second round of the Auto Windscreens Shield following the draw yesterday.

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