Brockenhurst are negotiating to keep John Bailey on board for the rest of the season.

The former AFC Bournemouth midfielder is expected to recover from a swollen knee to face AFC Newbury in the Jewson Wessex League Cup quarter-final, first leg at Grigg Lane tonight (7.45).

Andover have been showing interest, but Brock are confident they can keep Bailey now that the departures of Jimmy Sheppard, Simon Elley and Graeme Gee have lightened the wage bill.

"A lot of teams came in for our players when Chris Collinge stepped down as manager and that unsettled a few people, but things are a lot more stable now," said new boss Paul Arnold.

"We want to keep John. He's done a fantastic job for us and I've got nothing but admiration for him. After dropping out of professional football with a back injury, I'm amazed he's playing at all."

New defensive signing Darren Powell is cup-tied tonight and midfielder Jimmy Anderson is serving a seven-day suspension.