DAVE Bampton plans to begin holding talks with his suitors this week with Maidstone and Hungerford among the clubs interested in securing the defender’s signature.

The Marine skipper sat down with South Marston boss Dave Webb prior to taking a week-long break in Cyprus and must now decide where his future lies.

Ryman Premier new boys Maidstone are a surprise package attempting to lure the 28-year-old away from the Webb’s Wood Stadium.

The former Worcester City man has also been monitored by Hungerford, who have already signed Ash Edenborough, Josh Parsons and Chris Taylor from Marine this summer.

However, Bampton, linked with a string of clubs since signing for Marine in February 2010, insists that at present he is in the dark as to what his future holds.

“Nothing has really materialised as yet as I’ve been on holiday for the last week, so I haven’t had the chance to speak to anyone,” he said.

“I’m still waiting to hear from people, nothing has really happened, but I’d like to get something sorted before pre-season starts.

“I spoke to Dave Webb before I went away and I’m going to weigh things up now. It’s down to me to make the best move for me, whether that’s at Supermarine or elsewhere.

“I’ve got to talk to a couple of clubs and see what they have got to say and take it from there.”

Marine boss Webb is hopeful of tying up deals for a defender and a striker in the next 48 hours, and the manager is also hoping to convince existing members of his squad to put pen to paper in the next fortnight.

The Webb’s Wood side will begin pre-season training a week today with their first friendly against neighbours Swindon Town following seven days later.

“The two players are both keen but we just need to have a final meeting to thrash it out,” said Webb.

“We’ve had individual meetings with the players in last season’s squad and we want to get everyone on a form. I’m keen to get everyone signed and sealed before the Swindon Town game.

“I need to have follow-up calls with the ones that haven’t yet committed to see what they are going to do. As a club we need to know if they are going to be with us, otherwise we will have to look for replacements.”

Nine players have already penned deals for the upcoming campaign and midfielder Sam Morris looks set to become the latest to commit. Midfielder Ben White, 18, who has been a part of the centres of excellence at both Yeovil and Bournemouth, is among the triallists that will attend pre-season training.

Elsewhere, Marine will face Wootton Bassett Town in a friendly on Tuesday, July 30. The match will take place at Bassett’s temporary home at the Corinium and will kick off at 7.30pm.

Bassett have been dealt a blow with the news that star striker Mark Barnes has swapped the Hellenic League for the Western League. The front man, who was Division One West’s top scorer and player of the year, has signed for Devizes.