ROBERTS GOES WALKABOUT

Roberts (pictured), who is still recovering from a fractured eye socket that has kept him sidelined since 19 November, was due to join Norton United on loan at the end of the month but has opted to go down-under instead.

The big keeper made 25 appearances on the spin for Leek this season before picking up the injury and has made 46 appearances in total since joining the club in January 2011 from Colwyn Bay.

Danny was previously with the Leek Town youth team and has also played for Norton United and Stone Dominoes.

Roberts is this week expected to join UWA Nedlands in the Western Australia League where he will link up with former Leek team-mate Tom Sellers and they could be locking horns with former Blues team-mate Devon Gibson who currently plays for Cockburn City.

Commenting on Roberts’ decision, Blues’ boss Lee Casswell said, “The club is happy for him to play through the summer in Australia.

“It’s a life-time opportunity for the lad and he goes with our blessing. We have an agreement with Danny that when he comes back to the UK he will re-sign for the club in time for our planned pre-season programme.

Leek will this week sign former keeper Rob Hackney as cover until the end of the season. Veteran Hackney has been playing with Blues’ ground-sharers Leek CSOB this season and last pulled on a Leek Town shirt in 2005.