Turner Turned To Rovers

Goalkeeper Iain Turner has left Swindon Town after training with them after Paolo Di Canio felt it wasn't fair to hold on to him and then not be able to offer him a contract.

The fiery Italian manager allowed trialist Turner to play for Rovers on Saturday against City after Mark McGhee offered him the chance and watched the game from the stands. Despite the general feeling that he should have saved two of the three goals we conceded at Ashton Gate Di Canio was impressed and wanted him to return to training with Town. McGhee was also pleased with what he had seen and felt post-match that should Turner not get offered anything at Swindon he could be a really good option for us. There were slight concerns that if we went in direct competition with Swindon for his signature that he'd opt to stay in League One and settle for second choice behind Wes Foderingham instead of dropping to League Two and being first choice.

Things have changed in the past few hours though as Di Canio has announced that he has let Turner go and wanted him to have the opportunity to negotiate with Rovers instead of keeping him and then ultimately not wishing to offer him anything. Whether that's a sign that we are currently in negotiations with him or that we soon will be is unclear but it does seem to leave the path open for Rovers to snap him up.

Hopefully Gasheads won't hold his performance on Saturday as a fair judgement of his ability - he met the players 2 hours before kick off and had the added pressure of impressing two managers. He made mistakes but also made some good saves and kicked very well. Preston North End supporters rated Turner and were disappointed to see him leave in Graham Westley's mass clear out in May so for a League One side to rate him that highly can only be a good thing for us. Besides, you don't get kept on the books of Everton for as long as he was unless you have quality about you.

Give him time to settle and I think he'd be an excellent acquisition for the club. Whether he'll actually sign for us is down to McGhee but the lack of opposition from Swindon would put us in pole position to secure his services.