Thompson admits Guinan defeat

Notts County boss Steve Thompson has admitted defeat in his attempts to land Cheltenham Town striker Steve Guinan this summer.

The 30-year-old is out of contract with the League One newcomers at present and was considering a move to Meadow Lane after being offered a one-year deal with The Robins.

However, the former Nottingham Forest trainee now looks set to agree terms with John Ward's side in the near future, though Thompson will continue to keep an eye on the striker's situation.

"We've landed all the players I wanted except Guinan, who has told us he'll more than likely be staying at Cheltenham," Thompson told County's official website. "I'd targeted him and talked to him.

"He was tempted to join us, but one factor was that his partner is expecting a baby soon, so he was keen to stay in the area he was in, plus the challenge of playing in a higher division was too much to resist.

"He told me had I taken the job two weeks earlier, it was more than likely he would have joined us.

"But he's one to monitor during the season."

Thompson, meanwhile, has shown the door to two more players this close season, as Lewis McMahon and Steve Scoffham have been made surplus to requirements.

Chris Palmer will also leave The Magpies after rejecting the offer of a new contract with the club.