Johnson targets top bladerunner
By Matt Pitman

Tuesday 25th January 2005

WEYMOUTH boss Steve Johnson hopes Sheffield United midfielder Ashley Sestanovich will become his 16th signing.

The Terras chief has lodged a 'substantial' offer for the midfielder, who recently played Thierry Henry's body double in a series of Nike television adverts.

The 23-year-old is currently on loan at Coca-Cola League Two side Grimsby Town.

Johnson said he was a 'big admirer' of the former Scarborough loanee and is hopeful Sestanovich will agree to make the move south.

"I'm a massive fan of Ashley's and he would be a fantastic signing for us," said Johnson.

"He's a big, powerful midfielder and I'd be over the moon if we could get him.

"We've lodged a bid with Sheffield United that is substantial but at a fair value for a player of his ability.

"He's currently at Grimsby on loan having joined Sheffield United from Hampton and Richmond a couple of years back.

"Since then he's been on loan at Scarborough and was part of their side who played Chelsea in
the FA Cup Third Round last year.

"I'm hopeful we can persuade him to join and the question will be whether Ashley wants to drop out of the league.

"But it may be that he wants to play regular first team football and I'm hoping the move will appeal to him.

Trialists

"It's still early days and a lot of work will need to be done before any transfer is complete but I'm hopeful all the same."

Johnson is also interesting in signing former AFC Wimbledon goal machine Kevin Cooper - and is planning to field a couple of trialists when Weymouth host AFC Bournemouth in a friendly tonight, 7pm.

"Kevin scored stacks of goals for AFC Wimbledon over a couple of seasons before moving to the Met Police and I'm monitoring him said Johnson.

The Terras boss plans to use tonight's friendly to have another look at new signings Ludovic Cadima, Darren Wheeler and Nicolas Mirza.

Mark Boyce and Kieran Keane make returns from injury, while fringe players Ryan Hill and Francisco Ramos are also set to start.

"Things are coming together in terms of the squad now and once the injuries clear up, things will look quite good," said Johnson.

"But I'm always looking to improve the squad and tonight gives me the opportunity to cast my eye over a couple of trialists.