HAYES & Yeading striker Simon Martin is set to sign a contract with Saints until the end of the season before his loan spell expires on Saturday. The forward was due to return to his parent club after the clash with Newport County at Clarence Park on Satu

HAYES & Yeading striker Simon Martin is set to sign a contract with Saints until the end of the season before his loan spell expires on Saturday.

The forward was due to return to his parent club after the clash with Newport County at Clarence Park on Saturday but he held talks with City chairman John Gibson on Tuesday following the Setanta Shield tie with Aldershot Town and should complete a permanent move before the weekend. Boss Steve Castle said: "I would like to keep Simon. He is sorting things out and I don't see any problems with that."

Castle is also chasing a deal for Nigerian born forward Wasiu Akanni Sunday who watched on as Saints were shot down by Aldershot. Sunday was recommended to City by League Two side Barnet and has previously featured for Spartak Moscow and FC Vilnius in Lithuania. Saints are awaiting confirmation of his work permit and international clearance which is unlikely to come through before this weekend.

Youngster Bradley Gray, on work experience from Leyton Orient, made his City debut on Tuesday. Gray and the returning Hassan Sulaiman, starting for the first time since injuring his hamstring at Cambridge City on New Year's Day proved the only real plus points for City from a disappointing evening. Castle said: "Bradley did well. I am really pleased for him. He has a freshness about him and he will be there or thereabouts in the squad. He has come down to this level and has that confidence about him."

Richard Butler has left Clarence Park to join Ryman Premier League promotion chasers Staines Town for an undisclosed fee. Butler signed for City under former boss Dave Anderson but, following the sacking of the manager, was unsettled at the club and expressed his desire to leave.