WINCHESTER City have been boosted by two potential new signings – and news that top scorer Warren Bentley is staying at the Denplan City Ground on an extended contract.

After again topping the Sydenhams Premier scoring charts with 56 league and cup goals this term, Bentley is a hot property on the Wessex scene and will be key to helping league runners-up Winchester achieve their goal of Southern League football.

Should Bentley get an offer to play higher, Winchester would never stand in his way, but director of football Dave Malone stressed: “He wouldn’t want to go to another Wessex club or even the next level up. But if a big club came in for him, that would be a different issue.

“Warren’s happy here, he’s scored lots of goals and he’s integral to what we’re trying to do.”

The club have already agreed terms with the majority of their existing first-team squad and also with Jamie Barron and Ryan Gosney from Folland Sports. The pair will be officially registered next month.

Gosney – younger brother of Gosport winger Mike – is a well-known face at the Denplan, having been part of Guy Butters’ Wessex title-winning side of 2011/12 when he shared the goalkeeping duties with Rory Anderson.

His arrival could spell the exit of experienced former AFC Totton and Gosport Borough ’keeper Gareth Barfoot, although nothing has been decided as yet.

“We’ve had to look at finances and what is best for the club, it’s a combination of the two,” said Malone.

“The ball’s in Gareth’s court really. We haven’t closed the door on him and we’re prepared to negotiate but, knowing his own requirements, I’m not sure he’d be happy to have to compete for a place. But I’ve nothing but praise for Gareth, he’s a top bloke and very professional.”

Barron, a highly-rated midfielder, was skipper of Follands under Danny Bowers and Dave Lewis.

Winchester boss Paul Masters confirmed: “We’ve agreed with Jamie and Ryan to come to the club. They are both good players who will better the squad we’ve got.

“We don’t want to change too much for next season, but we wanted to get things sorted quickly and we have.

“We’re still preparing for the Wessex League next season, although there’s still a small chance that could change (if City are accepted into the Southern League as runners-up).

“Whatever happens, it won’t make any difference to the squad. Everyone we’ve got is good enough to play in the league above.”

Bentley scooped three of the main awards at the club presentation night, winning supporters’ player and players’ player-of-the-year as well as collecting the supporters’ golden boot.

Wideman Adam ‘Taz’ Roberts captured Masters’ vote as manager’s player-of-the-year, while the outstanding reserve player of 2014/15 was Dan Spreadbury.