WINCHESTER City want to re-sign Charlie Smeeton for the THIRD time after losing Dan Cann to Blackfield & Langley.

Director of football David Malone has lodged a seven day notice of approach to Cowes Sports for the forward, who helped Winchester to the 2011-12 Sydenhams Wessex Premier title before returning last season.

Malone said: “We were sorry to lose Charlie last year, he had difficulties with travelling last year but we can help him with that.

“It would be good to have him back. He knows the club well and we know him. He’s a different sort of player to Dan, a big strong lad who can play up front or out wide.”

Meanwhile, City boss Paul Masters insists it will not be easy to return to winning ways at lowly Bridgwater.

City drew a rare blank at home to Tiverton last week, a goalless draw ending their six-match winning streak.

They have a good chance to put more pressure on the top two when they travel to Somerset to take on the team they beat 7-2 on the opening day of the season.

Warren Bentley scored five of his 32 goals for the season that afternoon, but Masters insists second-from-bottom Bridgwater, who have won their last two home games against fellow strugglers Marlow and Burnham, will provide tougher opposition this time.

He said: “They’re clearly still struggling a little but I don’t think there’ll be a repeat of our opening- day result.

“The reports we’ve had are that they’re not a bad side.”

Winchester are otherwise at full-strength tomorrow. “Jake Newton’s fit and Taz Roberts’ suspension [after last week’s sending off] doesn’t start for another couple of games,” added Masters.