IT looks like Merstham may be a step closer to getting their man, after Redhill's John Difford failed to make it off the bench when the Reds faced Chichester.

Merstham manager Graeme Banyard put in a seven-day approach for the Lobsters' man in February, but at the time it looked as if the longtime Red was going nowhere. However, it seems the defensive maestro may have had a change of heart.

Redhill manager Marcus Alcindor is keen to keep Difford, who he sees as an integral part of the team.

"I'm a bit worried about John Difford," he admitted.

"I just really want to say to him; 'please don't go'. I've been really swapping the team around in the last few games. I had John on the bench on Saturday and he was none too pleased.

"I've been trying people in different positions; Daniel Morris scored four goals as a left-back for the reserves and Leon Dussard went from forward to left back against Arundel. I know John prefers to play in centre-mid, but I think he plays better as a centre-back."

Alcindor admits that while Redhill have their most formidable team for a while, the club's success has it's downsides.

"We have a really strong and versatile squad at the moment, but if John left we'd miss him both on and off the pitch. He is a big personality and we'd miss that in the changing room.

"He's been at Redhill for a long time now and we don't want to see him leave," he added.

"We've been together as a team for a while now and no-one has left. A lot of players have had approaches put in, Chris May has had absolutely loads, but I think the team realise we've got something good here."

Redhill are fourth in the Sussex County League Division One, and after beating leaders Chichester 2-0 on Saturday, they are still in with a chance of promotion.

The Reds, who are 11 points away from second-placed Whitehawk, have not given up hope on finishing in the top two, which is needed to go up.

"We are definitely capable of being a top-two side," Alcindor said,

"Whitehawk are going to have a lot of games in a short amount of time because of their success in the FA Vase.

"We have to concentrate on winning games. Every team in the league are beat-able, and we still have to play Whitehawk. They're a tough side, but we beat Chichester, so it's possible."