ROCHDALE boss Steve Parkin ran the rule over Congolese French striker N'Tumpa N'Sampa in the reserve team fixture against Bury.

Parkin, casting his net far and wide in search of a player to bolster his shot-shy forward line, hasn't given up hope of securing the signature of livewire Chester striker Michael Branch.

Parkin, whose team have won just once this season against Grimsby, said: "We've been given permission by Chester to talk to the player but as yet he has not responded to the messages we have left for him."

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