Bashley have stepped up their chase for Newport IoW striker Danny Gibbons ahead of tomorrow's Eastern Division trip to Dartford.

Having lost out on Lymington & New Milton marksman Leigh Phillips, the Foresters are homing in on 25-year-old Bournemouth lad Gibbons who may be sacrificed by the Islanders to free up some much-needed cash for player-boss Steve Tate.

Tony Mount, Newport's director of football, confirmed: "Bashley have made us an offer which we feel is acceptable and we've given them permission to speak to Danny.

"There's no certainty Danny will go but, if he does, any money we get will be reinvested into the team. At the moment, Steve's got no funds available to strengthen, but selling Danny could allow him to bring a couple of players in."

With Paul Sales sidelined long-term after a Gilmore's groin operation, third-placed Bashley are desperate to add more firepower to their Eastern Division promotion quest.

Manager Barry Blankley said: "If you look at our injury list, it's horrible. One minute everything's going great and the next thing you're thinking: 'Where are you?'

"I've always liked Danny Gibbons. Whenever we've played Newport he's been a thorn in our side. I know we beat them 5-1 recently, but Danny didn't have the players around him that he'd had in the past. There were a lot of youngsters and he didn't get the service he's used to."

Injured frontmen Stuart Hussey (torn stomach muscle) and Dave Wakefield (groin) join Sales on the sidelines tomorrow, but there's a chance assistant manager Fraser Quirke could return from back trouble.

Lowly Newport have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Gareth Keeping from Lymington & New Milton and throw him straight in to face Fisher Athletic at St George's Park.

Manager Tate spotted the 19-year-old's talent during his spell as player-coach with the Linnets and said: "He's got that great knack of getting into the box from midfield and getting on the end of chances."

For the first time during his brief spell in charge, Tate has a selection problem on his hands with experienced duo Steve Riley and Danny Rofe both declared fit. "It's a chance to give some of the youngsters a rest," he said.