Haining reaches deadline

Will Haining (21) has reached the deadline to sign his new contract at Boundary Park. He has been offered a deal until 2007 but has been in Scotland recovering from a minor operation. Talbot said of Haining, “I’ll find out today whether Will is going to be with us next season or exercise his right to leave – hopefully there won’t be a problem. I think it’s in his own interests to stay because you have to remember he’s a young lad who has only played 60-odd first-team games. He has done well and is particularly good in the air for someone of his height but, like all young lads, he still has plenty to learn. He’s the only player left who isn’t either definitely staying or definitely going, but we’ve made him a good offer.”