STOCKPORT County boss Andy Kilner has confirmed that he wants to sign out-of-favour Rovers defender Simon Grayson in the summer.

Grayson has just completed a three-month loan spell at Edgeley Park and returned to Ewood this week.

However, Kilner will look to sign the former Aston Villa and Leicester City full-back on a permanent basis in time for next season -- provided County beat the drop.

He said: "Simon Grayson is a player who I would love to see return to Edgeley Park on a permanent basis.

"His kind of professional would be an asset to us. He's a good talker with no airs of superiority about having come from a bigger club.

"Obviously while everybody at the club is confident of preserving our First Division status, it would not be appropriate to commit substantial money to sign players until our status is assured.

"Hopefully we can sit down as a First Division club and speak to Simon in the summer."

Grayson has indicated that he will consider a permanent move to County if they stay up and that is looking increasingly likely after a recent improved run.

They have been helped to a draw and a win in their last two games by on-loan Rovers keeper Alan Kelly.

However, Kelly is now back at Blackburn so won't face his full-time employers at Stockport on Saturday.

Kilner may therefore be forced to bring in another keeper on a short-term basis if Andy Dibble or Lee Jones fail to shake off calf problems.