MATT Bennett will play for Southern League Shortwood United on Saturday despite being tracked by Conference South outfit Bath City.

Left-sided midfielder Bennett, 27, who has spent a decade at the Nailsworth club, is currently mulling over an approach from the Romans, but joint-manager Alex Sykes remains hopeful Shortwood’s longest serving player will remain at Meadowbank.

Sykes said:“Matt is a Shortwood stalwart and we want him to say, but if he leaves he will go with our blessing. At the age of 27 this is a great opportunity for him and a pat on the back to the way he has been playing this season.”

Play-off chasing Shortwood have bolstered their ranks by signing a trio of players for the trip to Evesham United tomorrow.

Former Bristol Rovers and Hartpury College striker Joe White, ex- Nottingham Forest trainee James Lawrence-Forbes, a wide midfielder, and central midfielder Andy Smith from Cheltenham Saracens - a student at Gloucestershire University.

Meanwhile, Sykes and former Forest Green striker Marc McGregor have been linked to the job at Conference South side Weston-super-Mare, who parted company with manager Mickey Bell last week.