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Linnets sign keeper Crichton
THE Linnets have boosted their squad with the signing of experienced goalkeeper Paul Crichton.
Crichton arrives at The Walks on loan from Cambridge United until the end of the season with regular shotstopper Shaun Marshall suffering from an ankle injury.
Webb said: "Paul is a good keeper. He's been around a bit, he is still in good condition and will benefit us.
"I'd like to thank the chairman and board, who have put themselves out to give me what I want."
On Marshall's injury, Webb said: "Shaun has been carrying an ankle injury and he needs to get it sorted as I think it may have affected his game recently."
Crichton began his career at Nottingham Forest, although he made his league debut while on loan at Notts County.
He moved on to Peterborough, Doncaster, Grimsby and West Brom, while loan spells have also been spent with Darlington, Swindon, Rotherham, Torquay and Aston Villa.
Joining Burnley during the 1998/99 season, he was first choice in their promotion season of 1999/2000.
He signed for Norwich in June 2001 from Burnley for 150,000 and made six first-team appearances.
Spells with York City, Stafford Rangers, Leigh RMI, Accrington Stanley and Gillingham followed before signing for Cambridge United as player-coach in June 2006.
Linnets defender Greg Crane has also put pen-to-paper on an 18-month contract at The Walks.
Former Norwich City star Crane (22) completed the formalities at training on Tuesday.
Linnets boss Keith Webb, who worked with Crane at Norwich, said: "Greg's displays have improved steadily since I arrived at the club.
"Greg is still a good age and capable of improvement.
"If he does develop as I expect then it wouldn't surprise me to see other clubs interested in him."
With fellow defender Grant Cooper now available for selection again, Webb has a big decision to make at the back.
"Grant Cooper is a huge part of this squad like everyone else and has a big part to play," said Webb.
"We've got a lot of fixtures coming up and the whole squad will be involved at some point.
"We can't afford for players to mope around because they are not in the starting line-up. We are all in this together."
Webb has now given up on signing a Conference striker, believed to be Rushden's Dan Chillingworth, and has now turned his attentions to the lower leagues to find a new hot shot.
Ironically, Chillingworth has opted to sign for Cambridge United.
The Linnets boss has tabled a seven-day approach for Cogenhoe United striker Steve Diggin, a former schoolboy with Aston Villa.
Diggin has notched 16 goals this season, including a brace against Fakenham in the FA Vase.
Webb, who is also expected to put in a seven-day approach for Zema Abbey before the weekend, said: "He is a young lad and everyone I've spoken to has said what a good player he is, so we'll have a look at him."
The Linnets are faced with two away games in the space of three days as they enter a critical part of the campaign.
Tomorrow they travel to Gloucester and on Monday they are on the road again at Northwood.
Webb is hoping that Matt O'Halloran will be fit to play some part over the weekend, while midfielder Sam McMahon will have a run out for the Reserves after returning from injury.
"I've spoken to our physio and there's nothing structurally wrong with Matt's hamstring," said Webb, who knows the importance of the next month.
"This month will be vital to where we will be at come the end of the season."
greg.plummer@lynnnews.co.uk
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 11 February 2012
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