FORMER AFC Totton skipper Martin Whiddett could be the man to fill Craig McAllister's boots at Basingstoke Town next season.

McAllister's departure to Stevenage Borough leaves Stoke short of a commanding figure to complement the silky frontline skills of Neville Roach.

And the Conference South new boys are ready to take a chance on Whiddett, who has been pre-season training at the Camrose Ground.

At 32, the ex-Alton, Fleet and Bashley striker is long in the tooth to debut in Conference football, but Stoke's assistant manager Pete Peters reckons his renowned battling qualities are tailor-made to partner Roach.

He said: "I've seen Martin play quite a few times for Totton and Bashley and he's a guy who puts himself about a bit.

"He's not a prolific scorer, but what you do get from him is commitment.

"He'll get his head to the ball and challenge for everything, which Macca didn't always do. Craig isn't a particularly aggressive player, but he's got more control and when he goes up to a head a ball, he usually plants it at someone's feet whereas Martin just heads it.

"Technically Martin's not as good as Craig, but he makes up for it in other areas. He's the nearest thing we've had to Adie Mings since he left the club.

"Like Adie he's brave and puts his foot in, but whereas Adie got booked most games, Martin doesn't."

A popular skipper for Totton in the Wessex League, Whiddett got his break into Southern League football with Bashley last season, but he fell victim to John Robson's rotation system and was limited to 13 appearances, scoring five goals.

After flitting backwards and forwards to Totton, he returned permanently to Testwood Park in March, but the Wessex club are in turmoil this summer and, as a non-contract player, Whiddett is unlikely to hang around.

Whiddett's old club Fleet are also keen to sign the Alton-based marksman, but Conference football could give Stoke the edge.

"We'll sign Martin if he's in agreement. We've got nothing to lose," said Peters.

"At his age it will be a new lease of life playing at a higher level and we'll see how he does in the pre-season friendlies.

"What attracts us is the endeavour he puts into his game."

The pick of Basingstoke's pre-season programme is a home game against a Saints XI on Tuesday, July 20. They also entertain Farnborough Town (July 13), Aldershot Town (July 27) and Woking (August 3).