CHRIS Shuker has issued a 'come and get me' plea to Oldham Athletic.
The lively Liverpool-born winger has finally accepted that his career with Manchester City is all but finished.
And that is why Shuker accepted a chance to join second division Hartlepool United on a month's loan.
Indeed, Shuker made his debut for the North East side in last Saturday's 4-1 defeat by QPR.
Staying at home
However, the Blues youngster told the Sunday Pink: "I don't want to be too far away from home.
"I don't know anyone up in Hartlepool and I'd like to stay in the North West.
"I know Oldham were interested in me and I'd like to go there if the chance arose."
Shuker's contract with City runs out at the end of the season and he accepts Kevin Keegan isn't going to offer him a new one.
"It's not happening," said the 21-year-old Scouser who turned down a chance to stay at Rochdale on loan in order to make one last impression on Keegan.
"It doesn't seem to matter what I do. You always have to have a little bit of hope but it's not got me anywhere so I will have to move on."
Chance to shine
The Christmas and New Year period means Shuker will have plenty of games to show Hartlepool his talents, including a possible FA Cup appearance against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
"I only trained with the Hartlepool lads for the first time on Wednesday," said Shuker who trained with the Blues for the first two days of the week.
"And I only met the players for last week's game at QPR on the coach going to the game.
"That was really weird because everyone was staring at me when I got on, wondering just who the new player was.
"But they seem a good bunch and the manager, Neale Cooper, has been fine.
"We did okay at Loftus Road for the first 20 minutes or so, and then they scored three quick goals and the game was all over.
"Hopefully, we can put that right this weekend. It's such a tight division at the moment, a bit like the Premier League."
Shuker, who has had other loan spells at Macclesfield and Walsall, scored on his City debut in a League Cup victory over Notts County in September 2001.
He made his Premiership debut at Leeds in August last year and played for the final time in the first team against Liverpool in September 2002.
"Of course, I'd love to stay at City," he added.
"But there's no chance as things stand so I have to accept I need to go to another club."
Has Shuker been given enough of a chance at City? Have your say.
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I am thoroughly gutted for the lad to be honest. I personally don't think he has been given a good enough opportunity to prove himself at City. He has only played a few games and of what I've seen of him he has done okay. Certainly he didn't perform any worse than the likes of Sinclair etc. This is a worrying trait at the club as they do not seem prepared to give the youngsters a proper chance. This is another youngster likely to go elsewhere where he will be given a real opportunity and will move back to a big club for a considerable fee. I fear young stephen Jordan could be the next.
I think he is another hard working player who should be given a go, but no KK will probably buy another 35 year old.
I support both Rochdale and Man City. Shuker was an absolute nonentity for Rochdale... he is conference grade! In the Premiership these days the only youths that can be given a chance are the exceptional talents (the Rooneys, the Milners etc). Shuker is far from exceptional and I'm sure when City finally release him and many others he will struggle to get into a Second division side!