STALYBRIDGE boss Paul Futcher has issued Tameside neighbours Droylsden with a hands-off warning over striker Matthew McNeil.

Bloods' chief Dave Pace has made the Celts a four-figure offer for the Oldham-based star, who is said to be unsettled at Bower Fold.

But Futcher, who has just released summer signing Andy Evans, and has another, Winfield Steele, struggling with injury, is in no rush to sell.

McNeil, a Bury target last season when he played a big part in Bridge's UniBond title triumph, has so far failed to make any impact in the Nationwide Conference, although he has missed some games through injury.

Pace, who is also still tracking McNeil's former Stalybridge team-mate, Stuart Locke, is desperate to land the former Altrincham man, but Futcher wants to see more of him and is likely to give him a start in Saturday's away date at Dover.

The Bridge boss also plans to stand by 'keeper David Fish, who is keeping out Celtic's newly-signed New Zealand international Jason Batty in the wake of former first-choice Gary Ingham's switch to Gainsborough.

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