SALISBURY City can expect some hot competition for the services of mini Merry Oak magician Tyronne Bowers.

The energetic wide man, pictured right, who turned 24 in February, will have a host of clubs on his trail when his four-year contract at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium expires at the end of the season.

Although Eastleigh have heartily laughed off rumours that they have dangled an £8,000 signing-on fee Bowers' way, the potential Southern League new boys are confirmed members of his fan club as is Ernie Howe at Basingstoke Town.

Bashley are also believed to be interested along with Weymouth's ex-Salisbury boss Geoff Butler, who paid Fareham Town £3,500 to take Bowers to the Raymond McEnhill Stadium in August 1998.

Butler's investment proved money well spent. The former AFC Bournemouth trainee is a great crowd-pleaser and widely regarded as one of the area's hottest properties.

Salisbury boss Nick Holmes is fully aware of Bowers' growing fan club and will do everything in his power to keep the tiny terrier - but that will not include a massive wage rise.

He said: "I want Tyronne to stay because he's an important part of what we're trying to build here, but we can't break our wage structure. We are building for the future and the security of the club. We have a wonderful set-up here and I only hope that what Tyronne sees will be enough to keep him.

"He's a match-winner and that's why he's so popular."

Bowers himself is keeping an open mind. He said: "I've told Neville (club director Neville Beal) and Nick that I won't be signing for anyone until I've sat down and spoken to them.

"Eastleigh would be closer to me and I think Geoff and Ricky Haysom would like me down at Weymouth, but I'm not making any decisions now and leaving Salisbury in the lurch."

Although bigger wages would come in handy, Bowers admits it would be a wrench to break away from former Saint Holmes, whom he rates as "one of the best managers I've ever played under".

He said: "Nick's been around at a high level and has won what I consider to be the second biggest medal after the World Cup - the FA Cup with Saints."

Although Easter Monday's 2-2 draw with Bashley looks to have sunk Salisbury's Eastern Division promotion hopes, Holmes is determined not to let standards drop at home to Ashford tomorrow. "I'll be disappointed if I have to raise the players for the match," he said.

Monday's result means Bashley are definitely out of the promotion picture - unlike tomorrow's visitors Stamford, who are three points adrift of second-placed Dorchester with two games to go.

Bash boss Barry Blankley said: "It's a big match for Stamford and it means a lot to us too. It's our last home game and we want to make sure we take three points for the fans."

Bash lose skipper Darren Robson to a three-match suspension, which also rules him out of the Hampshire Senior Cup final against Aldershot Town at St Mary's on Thursday week (May 8).

Newport - home to Histon - lose promising young striker Chris Bridges to suspension after he was sent off in a reserve match.

Full-back Adam Lang fell victim of what player-boss Steve Tate described as "a good old Southern League challenge" at Burnham on Monday and faces a fitness test on his knee.

Former Stoke, Pompey and England winger Mark Chamberlain is ready to stick with Fleet Town next season.

The north Hampshire club travel to Chatham tomorrow with their Eastern Division future secure and 41-year-old Chamberlain is enjoying his new lease of life.

After leaving his post as player-manager of Fareham, Chamberlain had resigned himself to retirement, but he had a change of heart while coaching at the Southampton FC Academy.

He said: "I'm enjoying it at Fleet. I'm still not as fit as I'd like to be and my ankles hurt a bit, but if I can do a bit more training in the summer, I will carry on playing."

Havant & Waterlooville will almost certainly keep faith with their defensive young guns at Cambridge City tomorrow.

James Ford, Brett Poate, Dan Turner, Alec Masson and goalkeeper Aaron Kerr - all 21 and under - did a sterling job in Wednesday's 3-3 draw at Premier Division champions Tamworth and co-manager Mick Jenkins said: "It would be unfair to leave them out now."