Hill lines up a Grecian conquest
By Matt Pitman

Wednesday 1st June 2005

WEYMOUTH manager Garry Hill is hoping to complete a summer swoop for Exeter City defender Alex Jeannin.

The 27-year-old has been told he is free to leave the Grecians as part of a cost-cutting drive by the St James Park outfit.

Hill is facing competition from Football League Bristol Rovers and Stockport County for the French full-back Jeannin.

Manager Hill - who is also lining up a move for Cardiff City goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett said today he was "hopeful" of persuading the defender to move to the Wessex Stadium.

Hill said: "I've spoken to Alex and he is a player I'd like to sign.

"He is a talented defender and the talks so far have gone well.

"But Alex is one of a whole host of players I've spoken to and I'm sure Alex has also spoken to other clubs.

"Players like to keep their options open and, until we have their signature, I'm never entirely happy."

Jeannin, who remains under contract at Exeter until the end of this month, made a one-off appearance for Bristol Rovers on the final day of last season to help ease the Pirates' injury crisis.

Jeannin was offered a one-year extension to his Exeter contract in February, but opted to hold out for a two-year deal.

But Grecians manager Alex Inglethorpe was forced to release the talented full-back following a £100,000 cut in his playing budget, a move which disappointed the Frenchman.

Jeannin said: "I am still disappointed because I wanted to stay at Exeter but it was not possible, so I have to move on.

"I had two good seasons there, but I understand the situation at Exeter and I don't feel my depar ture was about my quality, but more about finances.

"That's football. One day you are here and another day you don't know where you will be.

"I have already had a call from Weymouth, and Stockport are interested as well. We will have to wait and see what happens."

Weymouth are hoping to secure a deal for Cardiff City's fourth choice goalkeeper Lee Barrett who has been told he is free to leave Ninian Park.

Lee-Barrett is expected to move to the Radipole Lane club once his Cardiff City contract expires at the end of June.

The 25-year-old will provide competition to current number one Jason Matthews.

Lee-Barrett began his career at his home-town club, Ipswich Town, before moving to their East Anglian rivals Norwich City where he struggled to make a breakthrough.

He later joined Cardiff but could not force his way into City's first team, ranked behim fellow keepers Neil Alexander Martyn Margetson and Ton Warner.

Hill confirmed he had spoken to Lee-Barrett but said a deal had not yet been completed.