SHAKERS boss Andy Preece's hopes of bringing Crewe striker Colin Cramb to Gigg Lane look to be doomed.

The Scottish striker has proved to be a prolific scorer with a number of English clubs since moving down from Hearts several years ago.

A training ground bust-up with teammate Lee Bell has force Alex chief Dario Gradi to put the fiery Scot on the transfer list and Preece was quick to express his interest.

But the current financial situation at Gigg means that the Shakers were looking at a loan deal for Cramb while Gradi is keen to offload him in a permanent one.

That could mean Lanark-born 25-year-old heading back over the border to Edinburgh with Premier Division Hibernian believed to be keen on his signature.

Cramb is just one of a number of players Preece has been enquiring about all week.