WELLING manager Adrian Pennock faces competition from three Nationwide Conference clubs to land midfielder Mark Saunders.

The 34-year-old has announced his retirement from the professional game due to injury. And Pennock has wasted no time in declaring his interest in signing the former Gillingham player who had a successful loan spell at Park View Road earlier in the season.

"I’ve spoken to Mark Saunders and we’re very interested in bringing him to Welling," said Pennock, who is competing against Aldershot, Dagenham and Gravesend to sign Saunders.

"I’d love to get him but it will be hard to compete with the Conference clubs. He wants to come to Welling but it may come down to finances and we can’t compete on that level with the Conference clubs."

Any move for Saunders will not be able to take place until the transfer window reopens on January 1, although insurance payouts could further delay any switch to the non-league game.

The Wings enter a busy festive period with three games in a week, starting at home to Thurrock on Boxing Day.

Pennock said: "If we win the three games then it will put us in a great position but if we lost all three then we’d be back in mid-table."

* FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM PARK VIEW ROAD SEE THIS WEEK'S BEXLEY EXTRA.