JOHN Coleman is weighing up an offer for Morecambe ace David Perkins.
The midfielder, who can play at the left side, has had a transfer request accepted at the Conference club and Coleman admitted: "We are monitoring the situation and are considering making a move for him."
Coleman watched the 24-year-old captain his side to a 2-0 win over Northwich in midweek.
"I am interested and I am also thinking about making a bid for a Premiership player. I can't reveal any more details as yet but it will be a cash bid and it could be this week."
The Reds boss is looking to boost his squad in time for tonight's Coca Cola League Two clash with Stockport followed by Monday's widely anticipated Sky televised home Carling Cup first round tie against two times European champions Nottingham Forest.
And they go into both games on a high after picking up their first win - and scoring their first Football League goal in 44 years - against Barnet on Saturday following two opening losses.
"We needed the win. The players had been getting down about criticism they were hearing that they are not physical enough for this league, that we are too weak etc etc. That is a load of nonsense and, at the end of the day, results can happen for 101 reasons.
"At the moment, six or seven of our players haven't hit their top form yet apart from in the first half-hour against Darlington. I can't put my finger on why they aren't - maybe it is something like a couple of mis-placed passes which has caused a drop in confidence - but I have the belief in them and they do have the belief in themselves.
"When we do hit that top form I know, and the players know, that we will be a really good side in this league and teams had better watch out."
And Coleman is hoping they can build on their first win tonight (Fri). "I have heard Stockport are a young side but they got their first point on Saturday and we do expect another hard game," he said.
And it will be a special match for defender Michael Welch who lives close to Stockport and County were rumoured to be interested in Welch in the summer.
And then the Reds prepare for their huge cup clash against former English champions Nottingham Forest.
Coleman admits he has a lot of admiration for the legendary Brian Clough who steered the unfancied Forest to two European Cups.
"He was a manager I have a lot of respect for. He was a great motivator and he didn't have the most fashionable side and perhaps the best side as compared to Liverpool at that time but he got the best out of his players and ended up with two European Cups.
"He deserves a lot of credit for that.
"He had his own belief and he instilled it into the players and inspired them and that's what I aim to do.
"It is just fantastic when you look at Forest were in 1979 - winning the European Cup - and where we were - in the Cheshire League - we were poles apart and now we are playing on the same field.
"I am excited about the game and I am hoping we can carry on our Sky tradition. Gary Roberts always tends to do well on television and hopefully he will on Monday. It is all decided on the night - extra-time and penalties - and so fingers crossed we will be in the draw at the end of Monday."
Winger Sean Doherty came through the reserve game midweek but keeper Rob Elliot is still sidelined.
- THE Nottingham Forest clash is all-ticket. Tickets are on sale at the club shop.
