Boss Rob Smith today insisted he remained “confident” of keeping striker Lee Moore at AFC Telford United.The former Tamworth man has stalled on putting pen to paper on a new deal and is believed to be trying to hold out for improved terms.

But Smith will meet him next week to resolve the matter, and expects the popular forward to stay.

“I’m meeting Lee Moore on Tuesday night and, by then, we’ll hopefully be close to getting a couple more new players in as well,” he revealed.

“I don’t think there will be a problem with Lee, I’m still confident he will be our player next season.”

Smith is staying tight-lipped on the identity of his transfer targets, though he admits he wants a centre-back and a striker.

The Bucks have put in an offer for one mystery Blue Square North striker, but the Telford chief is pessimistic about the hopes of completing that deal.

“It was more of a tentative inquiry and the club involved is asking way above our expectations,” he added.

“We’ve got another player in mind though, and we hope to have something agreed sooner rather than later.”

Meanwhile, Smith has played down speculation linking him with Nuneaton Borough defender Gavin Cowan, insisting no move was imminent.

“Gavin’s under a two-year contract at Nuneaton so there’s no way anything can happen there at the minute,” said Smith of the former Shrewsbury centre-back.

“I’m not saying he’s not a player I’d be interested in if things changed, but it’s not something we’re pursuing right now.”

Nuneaton Borough look likely to enter administration before the end of the week, a move that would probably see them relegated from the Blue Square North.

By Chris Hudson