Fleet Town are playing down Bashley's interest in midfielder Gareth Keeping, insisting: "He's perfectly happy where he is."

Pete Plowman's departure as secretary of the New Forest club means Bash have not yet lodged notice of approach for Keeping, as reported last week - and Fleet boss Mick Catlin reckons they'd be wasting their time if they did.

He said: "Gareth's perfectly happy at Fleet. He's not looking to move anywhere and we're not looking to get rid of him. I think Geoff (Bashley manager Geoff Butler) is trying to unsettle him.

"I've spoken to Gareth and he likes the set-up at Fleet and the players we've got here. The only thing he's not happy with are his performances. His game's based on being a goalscoring midfielder and the goals have dried up a bit. He's had chances, but he hasn't finished them.

"But you can't fault Gareth's attitude. He's always there and he trains hard and works hard for the team."

Having upped their budget and brought in experienced signings during the summer, Fleet have underachieved. Going into tomorrow's home game against Cray Wanderers, they are down in 16th place with just eight points from as many games.

Although new teams invariably suffer teething problems, Catlin admitted: "That only cuts ice for a few games. After that people want results for their money and there's pressure to perform."

Fleet lost out to Basingstoke Town for 17-year-old Robbie Chamberlain from Eastleigh and he is still waiting to hear back from another ex-Eastleigh midfielder, Neil Davis, who is also interesting Bashley and Welling United.

Fifth-placed Bashley will almost certainly give a full debut to new signing Graham Mills at Dorking tomorrow.

The left-sided central defender from Team Bath was the only plus point of last Saturday's FA Cup exit at Ashford Town (Middlesex) after going on as a substitute.

Manager Geoff Butler is likely to revert to a flat back four, restoring Chris Ferrett to his favoured position at left-back.

Butler said: "Chris can play on the left side of a back three, at left-back or wide left. In preference of ability and value to the team, his ideal position is left-back. He's a good crosser of the ball and he can get in more crosses there than playing in a back three."

Front runner Adie Adams has returned to Forest Green Rovers after a month's loan at Bashley.

Butler said: "He wants to impress the new manager there. He did okay for us, but I'm told he didn't impress as much as when he was here on loan last season."

Newport IoW are trying to sign ex-Eastleigh striker Dave Greening ahead of tomorrow's trip to Bromley. Since leaving the Sparshatts Stadium last season, Greening - son of IoW goal legend Steve - has been playing on the Island, latterly for Cowes Sports and now with Brading Town.

Port manager John Linington, who is again without unavailable frontman Ashley Wright tomorrow - said: "Dave's been banging in goals left, right and centre for Brading. He's easily the best natural goalscorer on the Island."

New to the Port ranks is Jamie Brenchley, a pacey and versatile player signed from Ventnor.