HARROGATE Town boss Neil Aspin has pleaded with the club to tie up Nathan Peat for next season after Blue Square North rivals Gainsborough Trinity made a bid for his services this week.

Town are right back in the hunt for a play-off place after Tuesday night’s superb 3-2 victory at King’s Lynn, fighting back from two goals down to take the points.

However another player departure will be a kick in the teeth for Aspin who has seen his squad reduced to just 14 after the recent sales of goalkeeper Jim Provett to Gateshead and top striker Danny Holland to Eastwood Town.

Former York City man Peat turned the game on Tuesday, levelling the match at two apiece with a trademark free-kick, his fourth goal of the season.

He has been an important cog in Aspin’s wheel playing 31 times this campaign and his versatility, switching between midfield and defensive roles, has been an added bonus.

“Nathan is a really great talent, I don’t want him to leave,” Aspin told the Knaresborough Post.

“I know other clubs have spoken to him since everyone was placed on the transfer list.

“He’s been a bit unsettled, but he’s carried on playing, he’s very professional and he’s got respect from me and the players.

“But it’s up to the club now to get him sorted out. His contract runs out at the end of the season and he’s someone we need to sort out.

“Nathan is an important player for us. Not a lot of people travelling away from home will know what he’s capable of.

“Last year he scored a free-kick at Redditch which was one of the best I’ve ever seen. If Nathan was playing in the Premiership they’d show re-runs of all his free-kicks they’ve been that good.”

Speaking to the Lincolnshire Echo Gainsborough boss Steve Charles confirmed they have lodged a bid for Peat and added:

"Nathan is a quality player who is experienced at this level and he can play in a variety of positions.

"Nathan is one of a number of players we're talking to and we have made a bid to Harrogate - but that's as far as it's gone so far.”

Aspin will soon have captain Denny Ingram back and raring to go after his fast recovery from a groin operation but with James Dean slapped with a five game ban following his third red of the season against King’s Lynn Aspin could be facing another selection headache.

Dean will miss the forthcoming games against Southport on March 10, Redditch United (March 17), Fleetwood (March 21), Workington (March 24), Hyde United (March 28) and finally Solihull Moors (March 31).

“Denny we think will be another fortnight but it’s important we don’t rush him back,” added Aspin.

“For James Dean it’s disappointing for him and it’s disappointing for us. It’s something we can really do without at the moment.”

Assistant boss Trevor Storton feels Dean needs to learn sooner, rather than later to channel his aggression to prevent more suspensions in the future.

“James is a young lad and maybe he gets carried away sometimes, but he needs to learn, this can’t keep happening especially as the squad is so small at the moment,” said Storton.

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