MARK Patterson has not given up on signing Sheffield United's young striker Tyrone Thompson.

The Leigh RMI boss was disappointed a deal fell through at the 11th hour last week when Blades' boss Neil Warnock had to call up Thompson for the FA Cup tie with Ipswich, only a couple of days after he had played in a trial at Hilton Park.

Patterson, desperate to find a replacement for Daniel Bent who went back to Doncaster this week after a month's loan, has not given up on Thompson.

"I am constantly monitoring the situation," said Patterson.

"I thought I had him last week until injuries forced his manager to call him up. When Sheffield get their big guns back then maybe the situation might change."

RMI have no Conference game this week but take on Unibond Premiership side Stalybridge in a friendly.