Hitman Dennis going nowhere
LOAN sensation Kristian Dennis will remain a Macclesfield player for the rest of the season – even if parent club Stockport County decide to cash in on the striker.
Dennis signed a yearlong loan at the Moss Rose during the summer when incoming Hatters boss Neil Young deemed him surplus to requirements.
Young wanted to rebuild the squad from scratch and offloaded Dennis, along with most of the other players who ended the previous campaign at the club.
But the move has backfired, with County struggling for goals –they are the third lowest scorers in National League North – and Dennis flying a level above with the Silkmen, firing 17 goals so far this season to become the country’s leading scorer.
Understandably, his form has attracted attention from the Football League – but Askey insists the player is going nowhere, regardless of County’s desire to sell while his stock is high.
“Even if Stockport sell him in January, our deal is in place and cannot be broken,” said Askey.
“I have a great relationship with Kristian, he is an outstanding character and a player who is very important to our progress this season.
“It’s the deal of a lifetime.
“He is with us to the end of the season regardless (of a potential move).”
Whilst officials at Edgeley Park agreed with Askey’s comments that the deal is “watertight” between the two clubs, they explained that a move in the New Year may still be a possibility.
“Kristian could be recalled in the next transfer window in order to move to another club, if Macclesfield agree to cancel his loan,” said a club spokesman.
The chances of County’s neighbours agreeing to cancel the loan of the nation’s top goalscorer may seem slim, but County have mooted the possibility of a deal being reached between the Cheshire neighbours.
“The contract with Macclesfield Town does stipulate that we cannot recall Kristian Dennis,” said a club source.
“However, we could recall him in the next transfer window (January 1-31) to sell him if we came to an agreement with Macclesfield whereby they cancelled his ‘ long loan’.”
With Macclesfield hold- ing all the aces, any agreement would have to suit the Silkmen, with Askey admitting this week that it is a relief having Dennis in the side for the rest of the season.
Dennis made it 17 goals in the National League when he scored twice against Wrexham on Saturday. It means he’s scored more than any player in the Premier League, Championship, League One or League Two.
“Kristian’s value seems to keep going up at the moment so we are glad he is here until the end of the season,” said Askey.
“He’s a terrific player, as are all of the lads in our team, but Kristian is obviously having a really good year and having someone in the team that has scored 20 goals in all competitions makes a massive difference.”
One player that the Macc boss will no longer have is Lindon Meilke, after the winger departed the club.
Meikle had left with the intention of signing for fellow National League side Barrow, but that move has been blocked by the FA at the moment.
Speaking to the North West Evening Mail, Barrow manager Paul Cox said: “We had him but because he had already played for two clubs this season, the FA wouldn’t allow him to sign for a third.
“We’re looking down the road at maybe the January transfer window where we’ll consider it again.”