BRENTFORD manager Martin Allen was this week desperately trying to sign his former Barnet goalkeeper Ademola George' Bankole from Maidenhead as player-coach and was considering throwing him straight into the first team in Saturday's home League One game against Milton Keynes, writes Tony Flood.

With Brentford's No. 2 keeper Alan Julian leaving on Tuesday to join Stevenage, Allen was anxious to protect his No. 1 Stuart Nelson against the possibility of injury before the FA Cup fourth round replay at Hartlepool United on Saturday week when the winners earn a money-spinning visit to Premiership side Southampton on February 19.

One-time Crewe keeper Bankole, 33, was seen by Allen as an ideal signing, but if he failed to get him in time he was toying with the idea of giving 18-year-old third year scholar Josh Lennie his debut this Saturday.

Allen said: "We need Stuart available for the Hartlepool replay so we may have to throw Bankole in against Milton Keynes if he signs. Bankole could not play against Hartlepool as he is cup-tied.

"When he was with me at Barnet Bankole he did not let in a goal in seven successive games. He is the reason I got the manager's job at Brentford."

Allen's squad has been badly hit by injuries lately and will be stretched against Milton Keynes (3pm), especially as striker Isaiah Rankin is suspended for this fixture following five bookings.

It is hoped that midfielders Stuart Talbot (knee) and Eddie Hutchinson (cut face) will both declare themselves fit despite going off injured in last Saturday's 0-0 draw with Hartlepool at Griffin Park.

Hutchinson clashed heads with team-mate Sam Sodje and had to be taken off for 10 stitches. But Allen says: "Although Eddie had a hole in his face and looked like something out of the Elephant Man, he hasn't got concussion and should be fit to face Milton Keynes".

Two other midfielders, Jamie Lawrence (knee) and Chris Hargreaves (calf) are also fighting for fitness. But winger Alex Rhodes (knee) is out for the rest of the season and defenders Kevin O'Connor (foot) and Andy Myers (ankle) are doubtful.

If neither O'Connor or Myers can play then John Salako may continue as makeshift left-back as Andy Frampton has been troubled by a hip problem. Scholar Karleigh Osbourne and San Lee are added to the squad.

Allen has been using a new tree-shaped formation to get the best out of the players he has left and claims it is responsible for a revival that has seen the Bees go six games unbeaten.

Rotating his midfielders and forwards around central striker Deon Burton, the Brentford manager has pioneered what he calls the "conifer" system. Allen said: "Terry Venables brought out the Christmas tree formation, but for us it's the conifer. Like the tree, they are big and strong, thrive in any conditions and no one likes them."

The squad to face Milton Keynes should be: Bankole, Lennie or Nelson; Dobson, Sodje, Turner, Salako, Frampton, Hutchinson, Talbot, Hunt, Tabb, May, Burton, Fitzgerald, Peters, Osbourne, Lee, Lennie.

Next week Allen is expected to show his players anything is possible by repeating his feat the last time they stayed at Hartlepool - stripping to his underpants and swimming across an almost freezing cold ditch at their training camp!

Meanwhile, Jay Tabb has been selected for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad which faces Portugal on February 8.

The scheduled Coca-Cola League One fixture against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road has been postponed as the replay against Hartlepool takes place at Victoria Park on Saturday February 12.

New fixture dates are: Oldham Athletic, away, March 15, 7.45pm; Blackpool, away, March 22, 7.45m; Wrexham, away, March 25 (Good Friday), 3pm.

Goal Productions Ltd of Pinewood Studios began filming the feature film 'Goal' directed by Danny Cannon at Griffin Park on Tuesday. The film is expected to feature David Beckham, and over 300 extras were used at Griffin Park on Tuesday for crowd scenes.

In addition to losing Northern Ireland Under 21 keeper Julian to Stevenage, Brentford have also cancelled the contract of Wales Under 21 defender Matt Somner so that he could sign for League Two side Cambridge United after being on loan to them since December.