CLITHEROE'S 'Psycho' midfielder Mark Stewart is being headhunted by Chorley.

Magpies boss Ken Wright, who is allowed to speak to the player from today, thinks the tough-tackling hardman could help shore up the UniBond First Division side's midfield.

But Blues boss Lee Sculpher says he doesn't want to lose the player, who is nicknamed Psycho by his team mates.

"He says he wants to stay at Clitheroe but Chorley are a UniBond club and he wants to talk to them to see what they have to say," said the Blues' new boss.

Wright said: "Obviously I haven't spoken to him yet so I don't know what he thinks about a move, but he is left sided and can fill a number of roles. He's big, he's strong and has a physical presence."

Chorley have already failed in an attempt to lure a Blues player away from Shawbridge this season.

Wright tried to sign captain Barry Hart but the influential left-back decided his future lay with the North West Counties First Division side, who are pushing for promotion to the UniBond this season.

And Stewart is likely to get some words of advice from team mate Neil Reynolds, who moved to UniBond side Kendal in the summer but lasted just four matches before deciding to return to Shawbridge.

Wright hopes to have signed a central defender before tomorrow's game at home to Lincoln United.

"He is a player I tried to sign in the close-season but he decided to go somewhere else," said Wright. "But things haven't worked out for him there and hopefully we can come to an agreement with the club and the player today."

Chorley, ravaged by injury problems again this season, are also looking into a possible swap deal with fellow UniBond First Division side Rossendale.

Dale manager Jim McCluskie wants midfielder Peter Smith and has offered centre half Gareth West as a replacement.

"I tried to sign Gareth in the summer," said Wright. "But Peter has just come back into the team after injury. I am interested in the swap but I can't really afford to be losing players at the moment."

Dale look likely to lose Patrick Lauber to Clitheroe after McCluskie gave Blues boss Lee Sculpher permission to speak to the left-sided midfielder.

"I have seen him play a few times," said Sculpher. "And Jim has been kind enough to let us speak to him."

Dealing with transfers is part of the job Sculpher was not familiar with before he accepted the post as boss.

"David and I both watched players," said Sculpher, who was Burgess's assistant. "But he always spoke to them and to other managers.

"But I am enjoying it. All the other managers I've spoken to have been really helpful, offering advice.

"I had a lengthy chat with Jim McCluskie last week which was great, and I am hoping we can build some sort of relationship between the two clubs."