Crewe face the prospect of missing out on free agent striker Gareth Taylor after Oldham admitted to making a move for the veteran hitman.

Taylor, 33, scored four goals in 15 matches during a positive loan spell at Gresty Road towards the end of this season, and is now available for nothing after being released by Nottingham Forest.

Alex boss Dario Gradi has offered a contract to the journeyman forward, whose previous clubs include Manchester City and Sheffield United, but now his Latics counterpart Ronnie Moore has admitted to making his own approach.

Moore told the Oldham Chronicle: "He is someone who leads the line well and knows where the goal is. He is the kind of striker we are looking for, so I have registered our interest."

Gradi is also facing renewed competition in his bid to sign Lincoln's 6ft 6ins centre-back Jamie McCombe, after Bristol City matched the Railwaymen's bid for the 23-year-old.

Both sides are free to talk to the giant defender after their offers triggered a release clause in his Imps contract and he is expected to make a decision in the next few days.