WINCHESTER City are working on bringing a Dutch midfield master into the camp.

The Citizens are hoping to loan Bouwe Bosma from Tom Widdrington’s Eastbourne Borough of the National League South (NLS).

With George Short twisting his knee before last Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Maidenhead, City could do with an extra body in midfield.

They were first alerted to Bosma by ex-Saint Widdrington when they played Eastbourne in a pre-season friendly.

“He’s a 6ft 2in central midfielder who lives in Chandler’s Ford,” explained City boss Paul Masters.

“He’s been dual-signed with Peacehaven & Telscombe (of the Ryman One South) and there’s a bit of paperwork to do, but hopefully we can get it sorted.

“Tom (Widdrington) wants to keep him, but he wants him to get some games.

“George Short is going to be out for a while and this lad’s a box-to-box player who will give us a bit of competition in there.

“Jamie Barron and Micky Hubbard are both great on the ball, but sometimes you need to mix it.”

Bosma received some good reviews at Peacehaven with one website report stating: “He played with a poise and calmness typical of his countrymen but not often seen in this rough and tumble league.”

Having gone out of the FA Cup 4-2 in Tuesday’s replay at NLS side Maidenhead, Winchester turn their attentions to the FA Trophy at Petersfield Town on Saturday.

It’s an intriguing battle that pits Ian Saunders’ reigning Sydenhams Premier champions against last season’s runners-up and, at the moment, it’s City who are coping better on the Southern stage.

While the Rams - beaten 5-0 at Beaconsfield SYCOB on Monday - are second-to-bottom of Division One Central with just six points from eight games, Winchester are eighth in the South & West and the league’s top scorers with 24 goals.

“I haven’t seen much of the Central Division but, without being rude, I think we’ve probably adapted a bit better to the Southern League. We’ve strengthened in the areas,” said Masters.

“We didn’t start too well last season, but then we had a great run of results and the only club who compared with that was Petersfield themselves. They’re a good, hard-working team.

“We're expecting a tough tie, but over the two games with Maidenhead it was pretty even and I think we should be looking to compete with all sides around us and in the league above.”

Despite their league struggles, Petersfield pose a dangerous cup threat. Having disposed of higher-league Weymouth and Cirencester, they have an FA Cup third qualifying round tie against St Albans City to look forward to at Love Lane next Saturday (October 10).