WINCHESTER City have heard nothing back from Notts County regarding star striker Warren Bentley.

The League Two club had a scout in attendance as City blitzed a poor Burnham side 6-1 at a boggy and blustery Denplan City Ground last weekend.

Although 25-year-old Bentley scored twice to shoot his season’s league and cup tally up to 46, director of football Dave Malone is not convinced the conditions – or the opposition – offered the best stage to showcase his talent.

“To be fair to Warren, how was he supposed to impress in a game like that?” said Malone. “Burnham weren't good – particularly in the first half – and the conditions were awful.

“There’s been no feedback from Notts County whatsoever, but it was the wrong game to watch him in. They’d do better coming to Banbury on Saturday.

“It’s a difficult situation for the club and for Warren. If he were 20 or 21, I honestly don’t think he would still be with us.

“Luton, who were watching him earlier in the season, keep in touch from time to time, so they might come back at some stage.

“If a League club did come in for him, I would help Warren rather than hinder him.”

Saturday’s Banbury game promises to be a cracker with Winchester top of the Southern One South & West standings, just a point ahead of their Oxfordshire hosts.

After Taunton, the Puritans are the second-best supported side in the division with a 278 average – just ahead of AFC Totton’s 264 – so a decent turnout is expected.

Winchester ran away with the home game 4-0 in October, but Malone recalled: “It was self-destruction on their part. They gave us a couple of goals.

“There’s a bit of a gap opened up between the top five and the rest of the division. The last thing we want to do is go to Banbury and lose, but it wouldn’t be terminal if we did.

“(Former leaders) Cinderford have got games in hand, but they were held to a home draw by Wimborne and that won’t be the last funny result of the season.

“We’re still in with a shout, but we’ve got some tough games coming up.”

One bad piece of news for City is that defender Dominic Cope has decided to retire.

He recently returned to Winchester from Petersfield Town but has grown frustrated by lack of game time.

“I understand his frustration but it’s a shame, particularly at this time of year when we haven’t got the biggest of squads” said Malone.