CONTRARY to persistent rumours linking Roscoe D'Sane with Peterborough United, manager Terry Brown says he has had no contact from any club regarding his number one striker.

Indeed, Brown hopes to negotiate an improved two-year contract with D'Sane who is due to link up with new signing Tim Sills in Aldershot's attack next season.

Meanwhile, the manager is close to signing Richard Barnard, a goalkeeper widely considered good enough to challenge Nikki Bull for the number one slot.

The 23-year-old, from Fleet, is currently out of contract, but is still registered to Maidenhead who would expect a small fee for the transfer.

Aldershot currently have a number of young players, recently released by cash-strapped professional clubs, training at the Rec. They include ex-Reading defender Adam Theo and Sam Scully, a winger formerly with QPR.

Other home-grown players are vying for professional contracts, amongst them Mark Hammond and Stuart Tanfield.

"We will have a good look at these youngsters during a heavy programme of pre-season friendlies," said Brown.

Former Aldershot player Steve Claridge will bring his Weymouth side to the Rec on Tuesday, July 22 (ko 7-45pm in the final warm-up match. The fixture at Hampton will now take place on Wednesday, July 30 and not July 23.

Aldershot Reserves will play in the Avon Insurance Combination next season, competing against clubs such as Crystal Palace, QPR and Norwich.

Left-back John Nutter has agreed a new one-year contract. The 20-year-old will now train four times a week with some of the other younger first-team squad members.

Defender Jason Cousins, the former club captain, and Stafford Browne, top scorer in the 2001-2002 season, have left Aldershot.

Aldershot were formally voted in and welcomed as full members of the Nationwide Conference at the league's AGM in Blackpool.

Aldershot Town are to be honoured by Rushmoor Borough Council at a civic reception on Thursday, July 17. Aldershot players will be parading with the Ryman League and Hampshire Cup trophies in an open-top bus on Saturday, July 5.