YATE TOWN are in the “early stages” of contract talks with star striker Scott Wilson.

The in-form youngster is still on a dual registration with Blue Square North side Gloucester City, meaning he wouldn’t command a fee should a bigger club come calling for his services.

Bluebells boss Rob Cousins said: “It’s a difficult situation but we’re waiting for something to develop. “We’ve offered him something, he’s very happy and enjoying his football. “He’s training hard which has showed in his performances and he’s playing with a smile on his face.”

Wilson played for Gloucester last season and turned down a contract offer from them last November while he was still at Cinderford.

His five goals in the 6-1 win over Winchester on Saturday alerted the attention of Tigers boss Dave Mehew, although he looks unlikely to go back there in the near future.

Mehew said: “If I’m honest I would like to have a look at him, but I wouldn’t be able to offer Scott the money he’s currently on at Yate. But I’m sure he would want to play at the higher level.

“At the end of the day we will be mid-table, pushing for the top ten in our league, but Yate are pushing for the play-offs in that division so you have to be fair.”

Cousins is hopeful that midfielder Robin Nicholls will be able to play for the club again after he returned home from America until the summer, and is awaiting clearance from his College to allow him to play.

Yate have also been boosted by the news that Mitchell Page and Danny Wring will be staying at the club after they turned down moves to Bath City and Frome Town respectively.

However, goalkeeper Josh Dempsey has been ruled out for six weeks after his knee operation revealed a slight tear in his ligaments, but Cousins is happy to put his faith in Lubos Ancin to fill the gap.

He said: “Lubos is a more than adequate keeper, his availability is the only concern. “He started the season as first choice when Josh went to Chippenham so I’ve got no qualms about him playing.”

Yate’s attempt to set a new post-war club record was put on hold after their Southern League Division One South & West clash at Bridgwater Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch on Tuesday.

They have won seven games in a row, which equals their previous best run and is their best in the Southern League, and will try to go one further on Saturday when they visit Cirencester Town, who are one point and one place above them in the table.

Yate remain ninth in Division One South and West, but are now just four points outside the play-offs with two games in hand on fifth-placed Tiverton.

Cousins said: “It’s taken a while to click but reaching the first round of the FA Cup and our league position shows how far we’ve come. “It’s nice to hear other clubs are watching our players. The players we’ve got are happy and hopefully that will continue.

“We’ve got seven tough games coming up against teams in and around us so it will be interesting to see where we are in a month.

“The lads are working harder and the results are no coincidence. “Whatever happens, it’s been a great season and we’ve put the club on the map. The gates are going up, there is interest in our players and we’re creating records on the way.”

Yate are home to fellow play-off chasers Wimborne Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).