Scarborough's French defender Alex Marinkov has returned to the club after spending three days on trial with Scottish first division leaders Hibernian.

Marinkov is one of two central defenders Hibs boss Alex McLeish is looking at - the other being York City target and Welsh Under-21 international Gareth Davies from Reading.

Boro assistant manager, Ray McHale said Hibs now want to monitor Marinkov, arguably the Seasiders' most consistent performer of the campaign, before deciding whether to make an offer. Marinkov signed a one-year contract with Boro when he joined from French club Roan L'Etape last summer.

Although reluctant to let their defensive linchpin go before division three safety is assured, cash-strapped Boro could lose the towering central defender on a free when his contract expires.

He scored the winner in last Saturday's crucial 1-0 win over Exeter but missed the midweek defeat at Wigan to rest a foot injury that had kept him out of the side for three weeks.

Marinkov is expected to return for tomorrow's testing trip to Brighton, but the Seasiders have a goalkeeping crisis.

Custodians Tony Elliot and Luke Weaver, on loan from Sunderland, are both injured while Phil Naisbett, who made his debut at Wigan, was injured in the 5-0 defeat by York City reserves on Wednesday.

"Phil is very sore and the knee is swollen but, if needs be, he will play as it is proving very difficult to find a non-contract player," said Boro boss Mick Wadsworth.

Meanwhile, City will receive a cash boost after striker Neil Campbell finally signed for Southend United in a deal believed to be worth between £10,000 and £15,000.

Campbell, 21, signed for Alvin Martin's side after impressing in a week's trial. When Campbell left Bootham Crescent for Boro in autumn 1997 on a free transfer, it was agreed City would get 25 per cent of any sell-on deal.

Scarborough: Naisbett, Russell, Atkinson, Mountfield, Hoyland, Marinkov, Tate, Kay, Brodie, Greenacre, Bullimore, Lydiate, Robinson, Radigan, Jackson.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.