KENNY Jackett has poured cold water on reports suggesting Ashley Grimes will be joining Crawley Town on loan today.

Crawley boss Steve Evans was quoted elsewhere saying the non-league side were close to snapping up Grimes before the loan window closes at 5pm, apparently with Jackett’s approval.

However, the Millwall manager revealed the lack of strikers at The Den means no deal is on the cards and confirmed Grimes will feature against Staines in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Jackett told News Shopper: “It isn’t going to happen because we need all the forwards we’ve got at the moment.

“Two of our senior forwards, Neil Harris and Gary Alexander, are out injured so we aren’t in a position where we can release Ashley at the moment.

“He will be involved against Staines on Saturday.”

Jackett has made no secret of the fact he would like to boost his attacking options by signing a striker on loan today, but admitted the chances of it happening are fading.

“There is nothing at the moment, but we have talked about perhaps signing a forward player on loan,” he said.

“If you are asking me is something imminent this morning I would have to say no. I would say it is below 50-50.

“We’ve made some calls over the last couple of weeks but nothing has come of it yet.

“Sometimes when a team signs someone, it releases somebody who maybe I phoned to ask another manager about a week ago.

“There is a knock on effect.

“If something like that happens today then there is a chance, but it hasn’t happened yet.”