WEYMOUTH are eyeing a sensational swoop for Dorchester Town defender Nathan Walker.

The 24-year-old has yet to put pen to paper on a one-year extension at the Avenue Stadium, despite reaching an initial agreement with Magpies’ boss Ashley Vickers.

With that in mind, the Terras are hoping to lure the commanding centre-half across the Ridgeway and install him as the club’s new skipper – regardless of their inferior league status.

Newly appointed manager Brendon King, who announced in Wednesday’s Echosport that he was looking to land a marquee signing, is desperate to see Walker return to the Bob Lucas Stadium.

He said: “He is a player I have known for a number of years and of course Matt Groves played with him at Dorchester.

“He is not under contract and we have made him a very good offer within our budget.

“We want him to be our skipper and our leader, and after spending a bit of time at Dorchester it is about time he came home and played for his hometown club again.

“I spoke to him on Wednesday night and it all seemed pretty positive. He has now gone away to speak to Dorchester again and think about his options.”

Walker played more minutes than any other Magpie last term – 4,562 to be precise – and was recognised at the club’s end-of-season awards as joint-winner of the Supporters’ Player of the Year gong.

County town chief Vickers, who was due to meet with Walker last night, is eager to retain the ex-Wimborne man’s services but insisted: “We have a budget and we can’t offer any more than we can.

“He knows the offer we have made and we won’t change it.

“Hopefully we will come to some sort of an agreement because we are keen to keep him. If not, there are a lot of good players out there and when one door closes another opens.

“We finished three places above the relegation zone last season. If we had finished near the play-offs then the players would have every right to break down mine and the chairman’s door and say they are worth this and that.

“Until that happens, the players aren’t in the strongest of bargaining positions.

“We have though got a good group of players who, if they buckle down, can achieve something.”

The Magpies have annou-nced two more pre-season friendlies – trips to Bridport and Bashley on July 9 and July 19 respectively.

However, the date with Npower League Two outfit Torquay United has been cancelled following Paul Buckle’s departure from the Plainmoor hot-seat.

The Terras meanwhile, will host Poole Town on July 23.