By Matthew Panting

Welling boss Jamie Day is closing in on the signature of defender Ben Martin.

The towering centre-back, who has also played for Chelmsford and St Albans, joined the Wings near the end of last season and impressed enough - scoring twice in six games - to earn himself a new deal.

Day, pictured, said: "I'm hoping to complete that next week, I've agreed everything with Ben.

"He did well for us last season, he gave us strength and determination and an aggression to our defending that we didn't have before.

"We're pleased with what he did and hopefully he can stay injury free."

Meanwhile, Day has distanced himself from reports that he went for an interview with Braintree during the close season.

Reports suggsted that the Blue Square Bet South champions interviewed Day but the Wings bos insisted that he only ever had one phone call from Braintree.

"I spoke to them on the phone and they asked if I was interested," said Day. "I expressed my concern that it was an hour and a half away from where I live and I wasn't sure.

"They said that I had nothing to lose by going to speak to them but then I never heard back from them since. Obviously I've seen the reports when they announced Alan Devonshire as their manager but that was the only contact that I had with Braintree.

"I'm looking forward to the new season with Welling and are delighted with how things are going so far."