WINCHESTER City have set their sights on two defenders as they bid to plug the giant hole left by classy centre-back Leigh Mills.

The Sydenhams Premier title hopefuls have targeted Follands’ Matt Burt and one of their former players Matt Scott, now of Andover Town, to replace the highly-rated 26-year-old who is taking a break from football for personal reasons.

Some would say that finding a replacement for Mills is mission impossible.

It’s not every day you come across a Sydenhams League player who was in the same England youth set-up as Theo Walcott and who, as a 16-year-old, commanded an initial free of £150,000 when Tottenham signed him from Swindon Town.

Winchester consider themselves privileged to have had a player of Mills’ stature lining up for them and will miss him dearly, but director of football Dave Malone fully respects his decision to take time out.

He explained: “Leigh has recently taken on additional responsibilities at the school he works at, he’s got two young kids and he cannot commit the time needed to sustain the high standards he has set himself.

“We’ve agreed he takes some time out and we’ll have to wait and see if he comes back or not.

“With some players you’d doubt their motives and expect them to sign for someone else next week, but with Leigh I think it’s genuine and we’re not going to try and force him to continue.

“He’s a gentleman and a credit to himself. Footballers come and go, but Leigh’s one player you’d take all day long. I don’t imagine there’s a club in this league that wouldn’t take Leigh Mills. He’s a quality player and a quality bloke.”

Having also lost striker Sam Wilson to Sholing and goal-scoring midfielder Andy Mott to work commitments, Winchester’s squad, which was too big in the summer, is now not big enough.

Mark James, a summer signing from Wantage, has yet to make his debut and right-back Adam Tomasso has also been injured – hence the need for reinforcements. City were this week due to speak to another of their former players, wide man Charlie Smeeton of Newport IoW, and will approach Burt and Scott once the seven days are up.

Former Fareham defender Burt is having a commanding season for Follands and recently turned down overtures from Southern Leaguers Bashley.

Asked about Winchester’s interest, Follands’ assistant boss Dave Lewis quipped: “We’ve spoken to Burty and told him there’s no point him going to a smaller club than us!”

Pre-season title favourites Winchester are ninth in the Wessex top flight but have as many as four games in hand over most of the sides above them. “If we could win those games we’d be up in the top three or four,” said Malone. “I’ve got to make sure we’ve got enough players to do that.”

Winchester face a major test tomorrow at home to surprise league leaders Whitchurch – the division’s only unbeaten side.

The Jam Boys nudged past Petersfield on goal difference by beating them 3-2 at Longmeadow on Wednesday – Ryan Lambert, Jamie Mansell and Jack McCarthy scoring.