EBBSFLEET United manager Liam Daish says he must be given a budget which will enable the club to compete with other teams in the Nationwide Conference.

Seven players have so far agreed new contracts for the 2007/08 season and Daish is currently negotiating deals with nine of the Fleet's first-team squad.

Leading goalscorer Charlie MacDonald has been offered a new deal but Daish has admitted that the striker is already halfway out the Stonebridge Road exit door.

He said: "I've heard that he was talking to a number of league clubs. From that you can draw your own conclusions - I wouldn't be confident.

"Whether I get the necessary funds to replace someone like him remains to be seen. Goalscorers are not floating around waiting to be picked up. You have got to be in the market to compete."

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