Exclusive: Weaver on way back to Owls to replace Grant

The former Manchester City goalkeeper, who played on loan for the Owls five years ago, is set to replace Lee Grant, who will now be sold to the highest bidder.

Burnley manager Brian Laws leads the chase for Grant and last night lodged an improved offer of 1m.

The Owls had earlier rejected a 'six-figure' offer from the Championship club.

West Bromwich Albion and Preston are also understood to be keen while Celtic may enter the frame if a proposed deal for England international David James falls through.

Grant, 27, still has two years remaining on his contract at Hillsborough but the club's relegation to League One has opened the door for his departure.

Manager Alan Irvine is not under pressure from his board to sell but acknowledges that Grant is keen to play at a higher level.

Weaver, ironically, has just been released by Burnley after spending six months at Turf Moor providing cover for Brian Jensen.

Originally from Killamarsh and a lifelong Owls supporter, he fulfilled his boyhood dream in November 2005 when he joined the club for a two-month loan stint under Paul Sturrock.

At the time, he was still rebuilding his career after five operations and the insertion of a late donor's cartilage in his knee.

Now 31, Weaver has clocked up over 100 additional appearances, leaving Manchester City in 2007 for a two-year spell at Charlton before moving north of the border to play for Dundee United.

It is understood he will join the Owls as soon as Grant's departure is confirmed.

Doncaster Rovers have sparked controversy by quitting a pre-season tournament in Devon. Manager Sean O'Driscoll was unhappy over rules allowing only three substitutes per game.

He had initially wanted to bring his side home after Monday night's victory over Barnstaple Town but agreed to stay on for a second game against Havant and Waterlooville.

The Joma South West Challenge Cup is an annual event featuring semi-professional and full-time professional clubs from England and Scotland.

Among those taking part this year were Premier League newcomers Blackpool, Scottish club Kilmarnock and League One side Leyton Orient.

O'Driscoll insists that he would not have entered the competition if he had known about the limits on substitutes but was only told last weekend.

Rovers issued a statement yesterday, saying: "Due to challenging injuries affecting members of the squad, the allowance of only three playable substitutions and the close proximity of the matches, Doncaster Rovers felt that it was impossible to field a side in the tournament without jeopardising preparations for the start of the 2010-11 Championship season."

A spokesman for the FA confirmed that, as they had sanctioned the tournament, it was compulsory to abide by FIFA rules relating to the number of permissible substitutions.

O'Driscoll is considering moves for former West Ham midfielder Josh Payne and former Coventry trainee Joel Grandison, who were both involved in Devon.

Striker Steve Brooke, who has been plagued by ankle problems, made his first public appearance for nearly two years when coming on as a substitute against Havant and Waterlooville.

Brooker has been battling against ankle and calf trouble since scoring on his debut for Rovers in November 2008 following a move from Bristol City.

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell will make decisions today on three Premier League players.

Former Liverpool defender Gregory Vignal, former Arsenal right-back Kerrea Gilbert, and Manchester City defender Shaleum Logan have all been training with the Blades in the hope of securing a move to Bramall Lane.

Although Blackwell landed Nyron Nosworthy on loan from Sunderland this week, he still needs at least two more players before the start of the season.

"The three we have this week have got work to do yet and the trial has to end sooner or later so Friday is their D-Day," he said. "But the interest in them is significant – as it was with Nyron Nosworthy – which shows they are good players."