By Nathan Jackson
March 16 2006

Mark Bailey could be about to make an unexpected return to Sincil Bank after Keith confirmed that he is after a defender. Strong rumours have been coming out of Moss Rose that Bailey is set to be released after injury problems have tormented him at Macclesfield and is it destination Sincil Bank?

Bailey left the Imps for Moss Rose at the end of the 2003/4 season for family reasons but the popular right back has been at several Lincoln games in the past 18 months including last season's playoff final. Bailey will have fond memories of the playoff final in 2002/3 when he scored the Imps' 2nd goal in a 5-2 defeat to Bournemouth and just like the Imps, Bailey has suffered 3 playoff heartbreaks in a row.

Bailey has only made 7 appearances for the Silkmen this season due to injuries that also plagued him last season as he only managed 24 games in over 50 matches played by the Silkmen. With his contract set to expire in the summer, Macclesfield are apparantly willing to cut their loses and release him on a free transfer. This could signal a return to Sincil Bank as Keith Alexander confirmed he wants to sign a defender after Gareth McAuley's injury last week.

""I'm certainly looking at bringing someone in. I've spoken to a few people and I'll speak to a few more."

Despite having adequate cover for the position that McAuley took up, Keith is still desperate to fill up his rapidly depleating squad and with Mark Bailey looking set to become available, there is a strong chance that the former Northwich and Victoria man could once again play for the Imps.