CRAIG Short today poured cold water on speculation Notts County will be signing former England, Aston Villa and Manchester City striker Darius Vassell.

Short revealed the Magpies did speak to Vassell, who was capped 22 times by England when Notts' former director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson was in charge of the Three Lions.

The 30-year-old is a free agent after being released by Turkish side Ankaragucu.

Notts already have six strikers, but Short insists the club would have been 'stupid' not to explore even the slim possibility of signing Vassell.

He said: "There were talks, but nothing is going to happen there.

"It was Ray (Trew, the chairman) who brought it up, but it is not going any further.

"When someone like that is a free agent you would be stupid not to talk to him.

"I think he has got one or two options now.

"I don't even think we got as far as talking about wages, but I think that would have stopped it anyway."

Short could still strengthen his squad further when the loan window reopens on Wednesday, but will need to off-load players before he makes any more signings.

He signed Republic of Ireland U21 international Alan Judge on loan from Premier League Blackburn Rovers on Monday.

"I'm happy with my squad now," he said. "Alan is technically very good, has a lot of energy, and can play wide left, wide right and off the front man."

Notts celebrate 100 years at Meadow Lane today when they play Yeovil Town.