While Premier League clubs scrambled to beat the buzzer and complete transfers before their deadline yesterday, Workington Reds secured a big addition of their own with the return of forward Millenic Alli.

The South Shields striker has given boss Danny Grainger a major boost ahead of his side's trip to Prescot Cables this afternoon (3pm kick-off) by sealing a loan return to the club until the end of the season.

Alli first joined the club on an initial one-month loan on October 18 but had limited game time, although he did mark his debut with a goal and an assist against Windscale in the Cumberland Cup.

Now, more than three months after he first arrived, Reds have agreed a deal with the Mariners for the forward to return to Borough Park.

The club were waiting for clearance from the Football Association to determine whether he could feature today.

Grainger said: "We're delighted to have him back and to have him until the end of the season is even better.

"When you looked at him in the little time he had in games we could use him, we thought he was a fantastic player.

"He's going to come back and be a big player for us between now and the end of the season.

"The attributes he has with his speed and direct play make him someone who I think can really hurt teams."

There is also the possibility of another new arrival early next week which would further increase the competition and depth in Grainger's squad.

He will be able to pick from a virtually fully-fit group for today's game, with only Charlie Bowman and Ash Kelly ruled out.

Bowman is still being assessed to determine the severity of a knee injury picked up at Ramsbottom last weekend.

Grainger added: "In the early part of the season we had quite a big squad and everyone was fighting not just for a starting place but to be in the matchday squad.

"Over the last couple of weeks we've lost Ash Kelly and Charlie Bowman and players maybe got a little bit more comfort.

"I think there's the possibility of one more but he won't be done before tomorrow.

"I'm hoping we can get him in in the early part of next week."

Reds are second in the NPL North West Division, two points behind new league leaders Ramsbottom United with a game in hand, and could return to the top spot with victory today.

"Prescot will be a very tough game," Grainger said. "I think they showed at our place that they're a very well-organised team that will battle on."