GRAVESEND have turned their attentions to Dean Beckwith after James Smith’s proposed switch from Welling hit a stumbling block.

Smith had been expected to complete a move to Stonebridge Road after the two clubs agreed a fee, believed to be a down payment of £3,000 with additional payments for appearances.

But Wings boss Adrian Pennock insisted on a sell-on clause, which the Fleet are not prepared to agree to.

"The fee was agreed but we are not going to give a sell-on clause," said Gravesend scout Nigel Gurney, who is leading the club’s recruitment in the close season.

"We’ve increased our offer but have never put a sell-on clause in there – it’s reached a stalemate."

Gurney confirmed the Fleet are now talking to defender Beckwith, who was released by Gillingham at the end of the season and has previous Conference experience after a loan spell at Dagenham.

He said: "We’re interested in Dean but Hereford are talking to him as well. In an ideal world we would sign both players as we need younger legs in the side.

"In our favour is the fact that he is a Kent lad and, like Hereford, we can offer him full-time football now as well."

Gurney stated that the club’s search for players continues, despite missing out on Cambridge United striker Daniel Chillingworth, who joined League 2 side Rushden on a free transfer.

Former Crystal Palace and Reading midfielder Bobby Bowry is also interesting the Fleet, who are in regular touch with league clubs about players released during the close season.

Gurney said: "We’re looking for a goalkeeper, a centre-forward and a midfielder – it’s the spine of the team. Some players have been released by clubs and others have been offered contracts to stay in the league.

"Going full-time has widened our range but even players who were in reserve team football last season for League clubs will not be physically strong enough for the Conference."

Fleet boss Liam Daish returned from holiday on Wednesday and Gurney hopes that there will be additions to the squad in the next seven days.

"I’d hope to see a few new faces in the next week," he added. "The nucleus of the squad is okay but we need to add that extra bit of quality."