Hampton & Richmond man-ager Steve Cordery has dismissed suggestions linking his player-coach Craig Maskell with a move to Ryman League Premier Division rivals Kings-tonian.

Cordery has been upset by rumours surrounding his top scorer, which were fuelled by supporters during Saturdays 2-1 victory over Sutton United.

The Beavers boss snapped: Craig Maskell will be leaving Hampton over my dead body.

He is under contract for the rest of the season and is an important part of my plans.

If Craig ever leaves he will go to a much bigger and better club than Kingstonian and I would like to think I would be the first to know not the supporters.

Corderys stinging remarks will no doubt add spice to tomorrows Ryman League derby game against Ks at Kingsmeadow, but he also has genuine words of sympathy for his rivals, who continue in administration.

Shame

Kingstonian are a big club and it is a shame what has gone on, he said.

We are in a similar position and have had to reduce the playing staff in recent weeks. But my players will approach tomorrows game with just one thought in their minds to win the three points.

Kingstonian manager Steve Sedgley will also be looking to put one over his good friend Maskell, who he has pre-viously worked with coaching children at football clinics across London.

We did not play against each other very often when we were professionals, but we knew of each other, said Sedgley. Craig is someone I get on well with. We respect each others views on the game. He has told me a lot about his team and the type of football they play.

I dont know a lot about the history between the two sides, but I can imagine there will be a good turn-out for the game.

Tough

Sedgley believes the game will be a test for his young side, who have lost just one of their last five games.

We are on a promising run, but this is one of a number of tough games we have coming up, he said.

Beavers boss Cordery has also been pleased with the recent efforts of his players especially new signings Steve Omonua, Fouhade Belaid, Phil Dicker and Eseyas Yhdego, who have filled the void left by the departure of Dean Green, Gary Holloway, Anthony Howard and Tom Upsher.

They have come in at a diffi-cult time for the club and all of them have done well, he said.

The form of French mid-fielder Belaid has particularly impressed the Hampton boss.

He has shown himself to have a good touch and all the lads have warmed to him. Hes done well, said Cordery, who has received mixed news on the injury front.

Steve French is nearing a return to action after a knee injury, but Matt Flitter will have an ankle operation next week and is expected to be out for a further six weeks.

By.Russell Young