Hill Aims For a Cranie Lift.

Last updated : 14 August 2012 By Rob Miles (BarnsleyBoy)

Barnsley boss Keith Hill is all set to announce a triple transfer swoop ahead of the Championship opener with Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Striker Marlon Harewood has already sealed his return to Oakwell by penning a one year contract, and Hill is all set to turn to Stoke’s 38 year old Carlo Nash to cover for Ben Alnwick’s suspension instead of David Button.

With those two deals all but certain, The Reds are turning their attention to free agent Martin Cranie. The 25 year old was released by Coventry City this summer due to their relegation from the Championship after three years and 114 appearances.

The former Southampton youngster, who made his Premier League debut for the Saints at just 17, has attracted the attention of a host of clubs this summer and has held talks with Middlesbrough and Leeds United. But it seems he is all set to sign on at Oakwell, with some sources claiming it could all be sorted within the next 24 hours.

Cranie, who has had spells out on loan at Bournmeouth, Yeovil and Charlton had further Premier League expierence with Portsmouth between 2007 and 2009 and has represented England at every level from Under 17 to Under 21.

Martin Cranie (Unknown/Unattached) information
Date of birth Friday, 26th September 1986 Height 6ft 0in
Place of birth Yeovil, England Weight 12st 3lb
International   Position Defender
Comments   Squad No. 15
Recent career history by club (1999 onwards)
TeamDebutApps (+ sub)GoalsYellowsReds
Coventry City 15 Aug 2009 114 (6) 1 7 1
Portsmouth 03 Jan 2009 2 (0) 0 0 0
Charlton Athletic 13 Sep 2008 19 (0) 0 4 0
Queens Park Rangers 08 Oct 2007 6 (0) 0 0 0
Portsmouth 15 Aug 2007 2 (1) 0 0 0
Southampton 15 May 2007 1 (0) 0 0 0
Yeovil Town 03 Mar 2007 3 (1) 0 0 0
Southampton 06 Jan 2007 0 (1) 0 0 0
Yeovil Town 18 Nov 2006 8 (0) 0 2 0
Southampton 26 Dec 2004 15 (6) 0 1 0
Bournemouth 30 Oct 2004 2 (1) 0 0 0
Southampton 01 May 2004 1 (1) 0 0 0
Recent career history by season (1999 onwards)
SeasonFirst App.Apps (+ sub)GoalsYellowsReds
2011/2012 06 Aug 2011 40 (0) 0 3 0
2010/2011 07 Aug 2010 34 (4) 0 1 1
2009/2010 15 Aug 2009 40 (2) 1 3 0
2008/2009 13 Sep 2008 21 (0) 0 4 0
2007/2008 15 Aug 2007 8 (1) 0 0 0
2006/2007 09 Aug 2006 12 (3) 0 2 0
2005/2006 20 Aug 2005 11 (4) 0 1 0
2004/2005 22 Sep 2004 6 (3) 0 0 0
2003/2004 01 May 2004 1 (0) 0 0 0

Total appearances 173 (+ 17 as sub); Goals 1; Yellow cards 14; Red cards 1