DAVE Malone “would love” to see master marksman Warren Bentley in Winchester City colours again.

But with Bentley still under contract at Gosport Borough and other clubs sure to be interested, it is by no means certain that the little maestro will return to the Denplan City Ground.

Following a season of financial turmoil at Privett Park, Bentley has made it clear that he doesn’t wish to play for Gosport again.

“We’re not going to break the bank for Warren, but we’ve made both club and player an offer and we’re waiting to see the outcome of his negotiations with Gosport,” City’s director of football Malone confirmed.

Having netted over 100 goals in two prolific seasons with Winchester, Bentley penned a two-year contract with Gosport in the summer.

Despite downing tools in recent weeks, he remains the National League South club's top scorer with 14 goals from 27 appearances.

Winchester hope to get back to winning ways at Larkhall Athletic on Saturday after last night's 3-1 Southern One South & West defeat at Evesham.

Prior to their trip to Worcestershire they had won seven of their previous eight league games to break into the top half of the table.

Top gun Craig Feeney headed City in front at Evesham but they succumbed to three second-half goals.

“It’s awkward. We’d put ourselves in with a shout of the play-offs, but this means we can only afford one or two more defeats, which is a big ask,” said Malone.

“We didn’t arrive until 7.10pm due to traffic and we were a bit depleted with Adam Tomasso, Stuart Mott and Matt Evans all missing.

“Robbie Matthews missed a golden opportunity to put us two up, but headed just over. They scored just after half-time and we were mostly on the back-foot after that.”