UNITED boss Denis Smith was today stepping up his bid to sign a defender on loan, but he has all but ruled out Mark Watson from this Saturday's game against Wrexham.

Watson helped Canada earn a shock 2-1 victory over Mexico in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Los Angeles on Sunday night to book a semi-final meeting with Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday night.

But even if Canada are knocked out in the semis, it would be asking a lot to ask Watson to catch a 12-hour flight back on the Friday and, with the time difference and jet-lag, be fully fit to play for United at the Manor on Saturday afternoon.

"I've basically ruled him out," Smith said. "It's possible that, if Mark comes back and feels he could play, I could put him on the bench, but I'm having to look at all my alternatives really." The most likely option would be to switch Les Robinson from right back to right-sided central defence, to play alongside any left-sided loan signing.

"I've spoken to the club concerned and it looks promising, but I'm just trying to get the best possible deal I can. I'm not too worried about it at the moment. If it gets to Wednesday and I still haven't heard for definite, then I may start to panic. But you always think that you can get certain players and I have a second and third choice to fall back on."

Smith's target is a Premiership player and, with money short at the Manor, United are hoping his club will help subsidise his wages.

Story date: Tuesday 22 February

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