expressandstar.com

Stafford Rangers forward Nick Wellecomme has pleaded with manager Chris Brindley to keep his strike partner Steven Thompson at the club.

The on-loan Port Vale player had struck up a decent partnership with Wellecomme, boasting two goals in four games of his own, before he was injured at Harrogate.

After three games out, the former Middlesbrough youngster – along with Derby defender Jermaine Johnson – is due to have his loan reviewed over the next week, before the team return to action at home to Stalybridge a week on Saturday.

Thompson’s injury absence and Johnson’s upcoming suspension could have well put pay to their chances of extending their stay at the cash-strapped Blue Square North club, but Wellecomme is hoping he has not seen the last of the duo.

The Rangers top scorer said: “I know Steve very well and he is absolute class, we have missed him since he has been away. Even though he is a small guy he is a big presence on the field, and he can bring people into play like maybe myself and Ben Mills can’t.

“There have been a lot of good strikers since I came to the club, but ‘Thommo’ has great feet and he way he plays gives us something we haven’t really had before. If it was down to me, I would keep him here, because he can only help the team.

“Jermaine has also done very well, especially at Harrogate, where he was by and far the Man of the Match. If we can extend his loan or maybe even sign him permanently, it would be another good addition for us.”