FORMER Newport IoW left-back Adam Lang has turned down the chance to return to Dr Martens League football with Bashley.

The 21-year-old ex-Peterborough United player, pictured left, is happy to see out the season with ambitious Wessex League outfit AFC Newbury, who entertain league leaders Winchester City tomorrow.

Newbury boss Guy Whittingham originally signed Lang for Newport IoW when he was released by the Posh. And, when things went belly-up for the Islanders around Christmas-time, the ex-Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday striker again offered Lang the chance to rebuild his career with the fourth-placed Berkshire club.

There is no doubt in Whittingham's mind that Eastleigh-based Lang has the potential to play higher, but he is hoping he won't have to leave Faraday Road to achieve that.

Whittingham said: "I had a long chat with Adam in training and he's staying with us. I'm pleased with that.

"He talked to John Robson at Bashley and he's certainly capable of playing at that level, but we want him to do that with us because that's where Newbury want to be.

"We don't tie our lads to contracts - one, because contracts don't mean very much at this level and, two, because if a player is not on contract then the club has the challenge of getting him to stay.

"To me Adam Lang is a sign that we're doing things right at Newbury. The fact he's staying suggests that things are okay and that people are enjoying it here."

Although Newbury are one of few teams to have got any change out of Winchester City this season, there is no doubt in Whittingham's mind that Neil Hards's FA Vase finalists have "champions" written all over them.

Back in mid-November the Berkshire club escaped from the Denplan City Ground with a 1-1 draw, but Whittingham confessed: "We struggled that night and were lucky to come away with a point. Winchester could have been four or five up at half-time, but our goalkeeper played really well.

"I've seen all the contenders now - Winchester, Wimborne and Gosport - and for me it's Winchester all the way. They're the only ones who've really troubled us."

The fact that Newbury are not in closer contact with the leaders is, according to Whittingham, because Winchester have mastered the art of consistency.

He said: "I remember Neil Hards (Winchester manager) saying to me that the league is not decided on results between the top five or six, it's how you do against all the other teams.

"Winchester had good experience in the Hampshire League last season when they were beating sides comfortably week after week and that has served them well. The rest of us have lost concentration at times."

Two other ex-Newport players are now featuring for Newbury. Defensive stalwart Pete Tagg is back in action after a long-term foot injury and Lee Chudy is excelling up front alongside Army striker Chris Geary, signed from Egham.

The latest addition to the camp is left-sided player Kev Halliday who was released from Swindon at the end of last season and has been sidelined by injury for most of this campaign.