GRAHAM Barrow is facing stiff opposition in the race to sign Stockport County defender Dave Challinor.

Bristol Rovers and newly-promoted Chester City are leading a host of clubs also casting envious glances in the direction of the influential central defender.

The Shakers' manager has made no secret of the fact that the 28-year-old is his number one target this close season, but his capture could prove more difficult than he first imagined.

With Rovers one of the best supported teams in Division Three, and Chester being bankrolled by Merseyside businessman Stephen Vaughan, the big worry is that the Shakers could be gazumped.

The club are having to make a profit of £100,000 every season to cover the CVA agreement that followed their time in administration.

And supporters and officials alike will be hoping above hope that the financial straightjacket doesn't scupper any deal.

Challinor, who spent most of the second half of the last campaign on loan at the club, thoroughly enjoyed his time at Gigg Lane and is known to be enthusiastic for a permanent move.

But money talks and the Chester-born former England Under-19 international will be weighing up all his options before putting pen to paper.

The acquisition of Challinor would give the Shakers a major boost, as it's not outrageous to say that his performances last season could well have staved off relegation.

None of the eight first team squad members offered new deals this week have yet re-signed, although young defender Jon Cartledge has accepted a one-year contract, leaving fellow youth-teamers Daniel Douglas-Pringle and Steve Maden still pondering six-month ones.

Another player definitely out of the selection equation next season is midfielder George Clegg, who had his contract terminated by mutual consent on Wednesday.

Twenty-three-year old Clegg joined from Manchester United in August 2001 and went on to play 66 games for the Shakers scoring 10 goals.

He played a part in the first three games of the 2003-2004 campaign but picked up a medial ligament injury against Scunthorpe, that put him out of action for four months.

From then on he struggled to regain his first team place and has been released despite having 12 months of his contract to run.