TONY Dinning is due to have a medical on Friday ahead of a proposed move back to Stockport County, the club he left in September 2000 when completing a big money switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 31-year-old midfielder has agreed a two-year deal to return to the Hatters, subject to a medical, but the move has been held up recently with Dinningés current club, Port Vale, delaying sending his medical records across.

The Valiantsé physio has been away on holiday, as has County physio Rodger Wylde.

Delighted County boss Jim Gannon said: "The fact that Tony was under contract at Vale Park shows what a great affinity he has with County (that he wants to return). My long term strategy is to bring in and develop young players, but ités vital that they get proper leadership on the pitch and thatés something Tony will provide because he is a natural leader.

"He will bring passion, purpose and a real physical presence to our midfield.

"Heés excellent as a defensive screen, protecting the back four, and he is also excellent going the other way with his range of passing, powerful shooting and his ability from dead ball situations."

The news will also delight County fans who had a soft spot for Dinning during his previous six-year spell with the club.

He arrived at Stockport in the summer of 1994 from Newcastle United, along with Alun Armstrong, and went on to become a real fansé favourite.

Under Dave Jones he played an important role in the memorable 1996/97 promotion season.

And he didnét look out of place one bit in the First Division - he was a regular in the team during Countyés time in the second tier of English football.

In 1999/2000 he scored 13 goals from midfield, including the never-to-be-forgotten late penalty at Maine Road which clinched a historic 2-1 victory over Manchester City.

Dinning was on fire throughout that season. He also scored a screamer at the Reebok Stadium that earned a memorable 1-0 victory over Bolton, and an unstoppable free-kick on Boxing Day against Wolves.

Molineux chiefs certainly didnét forget the goal, as they came in with a é600,000 bid for Dinning in September 2000 which brought his time at Edgeley Park to an end after scoring 30 goals in 226 appearances.

He spent a year with Wolves before joining Wigan, and more recently he was at Bristol City for a couple of months before making the switch to Vale Park where he scored five goals in 48 appearances.

Meanwhile, Gannon has revealed that talks are still ongoing with a number of additional potential targets.

He added: "We have made offers to several players, but things are being held up slightly as their agents are now speaking to them before coming back with a decision.

"We have contacted Oldham Athletic about Adam Griffin joining us permanently, but we havenét had an answer from them yet.

"Also we have been in contact with Jamie Wardés agent, but he is waiting to speak to a few other clubs."

• LINCOLN City striker Simon Yeo has expressed an interest in making a move closer to his Reddish home after three years at Sincil Bank.

Jim Gannon said of the former Hyde United and New Zealand Knights hit-man: "Simonés agent has been in contact with us.

"I am after another attacker, but Simon is 33 now so we will have to decide whether we wish to pursue anything."

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