WELLING are closing in on striker Che Stadhart as manager Adrian Pennock looks to make him his ninth summer signing.

Stadhart, who played for Margate last season, trained on Monday with the Wings with a view to signing.

The player is well known to both Pennock and his assistant Phil Handford. He was at Gravesend with the pair and at Margate when Handford was coaching there.

He was a prolific goalscorer at Gravesend, who signed him from Hampton and Richmond in November, 1999. He was previously with Leyton Pennant and Chalfont St Peter.

Pennock stressed: "Che has not signed yet but we’re hoping he will. He’s a box player who is great at bringing others into the game."

Pennock disclosed that he has still not finished his transfer business and is in the market for another striker.

* WELLING’S home friendly against Stevenage has been brought forward to next Tuesday, July 19, kick off 7.45pm at Park View Road.