MALVERN Town are anticipating a battle to hang on to star striker Dave Reynolds this summer.

The prolific frontman finished the season at the top of West Midlands League Premier Division’s scoring charts, netting 51 goals in 39 appearances.

Malvern were approached by Halesowen Town over the possibility of signing Reynolds in March before the deal fell through close to the registration deadline.

And the lethal finisher is likely to attract interest from clubs at a higher level again, with Midland League Premier Division outfit Worcester City in the market for new players having already snapped up Town midfielder Nathan Hayward.

Manager Les Jones says he is hoping to retain Reynolds’ services, but he “accepts” Malvern will face competition for his signature ahead of next season.

“I am hopeful he will stay,” Jones said.

“He has been with Malvern for six years, but if he goes to a higher club I would be absolutely delighted for him.

“But we are in a position where we are hoping he will stay and we are targeting players to enhance the strike force.

“At this time of the year players will be approached as they are on non-contracts.

“I know there was some interest from Halesowen and there will be interest from local clubs.

“I am not sure whether Worcester City have approached him or not.

“But they are not the only club in the area that would be interested in Dave Reynolds. The likes of Westfields would be. Any ambitious club in the area would be interested in him.”

Reynolds spent much of the campaign battling for the golden boot with Wolverhampton Sporting’s Dan Westwood before he climbed four levels to play for National League North club AFC Telford United.

“We have just got to accept that when a player scores 51 goals even teams who have not watched him are going to be thinking he is worth looking at,” Jones continued.

“He has been with me for the last five or six years and he is a terrific lad.

“But if he is going to play at a higher level I hope it is the right club. You don’t want to be messed around because with higher level clubs they will take a player, stick him on the bench and not use him when they have got big hitters already.

“Halesowen spoke to him and didn’t follow through with it as they had an alternative on loan from Derby County.”

Malvern finished in fifth and Jones says he is determined to keep most of his squad together as they bid for promotion next term.

“We are talking to Dave but he is bound to be approached,” Jones added.

“When you have a successful team like we have with good, young players it is inevitable.

“What we need is a squad of players who buy into what we want and that’s promotion next year.”