Cherries: Groves refuses to rule out late deadline-day drama (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Groves refuses to rule out late deadline-day drama

7:17pm Friday 31st August 2012 in Sport By Ian Wadley

Cherries boss Paul Groves is refusing to rule out some last-minute deals as speculation intensifies ahead of the 11pm transfer deadline.

Dutchman Lorenzo Davids, cousin of former international star Edgar, joined Cherries on a free transfer this afternoon.

And Groves this evening hinted there could yet be more deadline-day activity.

Former Cherries stars Brett Pitman and Anton Robinson are among a host of players to be linked with moves to Goldsands Stadium.

The Bristol Evening Post first reported that talks over striker Pitman had been held last night between representatives from Cherries and Bristol City.

Cherries are also believed to have enquired about bringing Huddersfield Town midfielder Robinson back to Dorset.

Groves remained coy when quizzed about the two players but discussing Robinson, he said: “You never say never, especially with the deadline day and how things are. I think that just remains to be seen.”

He added: “Up and down the country, managers have learned that you never say never until that deadline because there are so many variables that change the situation so late in the day.

“If something comes up that is attractive and can take the club forward, I think the club is progressive enough to realise that situation and grasp it.”

Groves revealed that Cherries had received enquiries from rival clubs about loaning members of the Goldsands Stadium squad.

Daily Echo sources suggest Southend United are interested in Steven Gregory, while fellow midfielder Donal McDermott has been linked with Chesterfield.

Groves said: “Over the past 24 hours, it would be fair to say that we have had one or two enquiries about one or two of our players.

“But they haven’t been followed up or carried through in respect of loan deals. They haven’t materialised.”

Groves added that Cherries had received no bids for Marc Pugh, whose contract expires next summer.

Meanwhile, Groves said Richard Hughes’s return to Cherries had now been finalised.