League Two side Salford City are targeting a move for former Barrow and Morecambe forward Cole Stockton with Burton Albion looking to cash in on their asset following his loan return.
The 30-year-old spent the latter half of the 23/24 season on loan at Pete Wild’s Barrow after a difficult spell with his parent club. Stockton started the Brewer’s opening fixture against Blackpool, however, due to injury would only make nine more league appearances in League One.
He linked up with the play-off chasers in January, making 17 appearances, and contributing seven goals before returning to his parent club in the summer. Burton revealed that the player remained under contract at the club in their end-of-season retained list.
Now Salford City are looking at securing the striker as he enters the final year of his contract, according to Alan Nixon.
A good move for League Two Salford and Stockton?
Stockton, prior to his move to Burton was a player in demand. There were fans from across League One and League Two urging their club to sign him following his release from Morecambe. In the 2021/22 season, he contributed 23 goals in League One, with double-figure returns either side of it. However, the player’s form dipped since linking up with the Brewers. The striker has suffered with injuries, with rumours emerging very early into his Burton career that he was unhappy and looking for a move.
Prior to 2020/21, he was not the most prolific of strikers, failing to contribute more than five league goals in any of his previous seasons. However, after joining Barrow, he did show signs that he still has the same ability that he demonstrated so well for Morecambe.
Salford at present feel as though they have reached a ceiling. They did well for a number of years breaking into the EFL, but after failing to get promoted to League One, have stagnated somewhat. It is clear their strategy needs to change if they are to again push for promotion. Will Stockton be the right man to spearhead their attack? If they get the forward that was seen at Barrow or Morecambe, he can win games on his own, however, if the injury-prone unhappy Burton Albion forward arrives, he could do more harm than good.