Aaron Blakemore's on-off move to Clevedon Town could yet be resolved in time for the start of the new Southern League season a week tomorrow.

The highly-regarded striker finally trained with Clevedon this week and has been named in manager Nick Tucker's squad for the final pre-season friendly against Swansea West End tomorrow.

"I think we are both keen to do a deal," said Tucker, who has been tracking Blakemore since he left Yate Town following their relegation from the Premier Division last season.

"The timing of it is not great but that is football – things like that happen. Hopefully, over the next seven or 10 days, something can be sorted out."

Tucker had hoped to secure the signing of Blakemore last month but the Weston-super-Mare-based striker was keen to keep his options open and had been training with Andy Gurney's Blue Square South side.

But Tucker has kept patient and, while in an ideal world he would have liked to have bedded in Blakemore over a few more games, he is clearly keen to have a proven Southern League goalscorer in his squad.

"Defensively, and in midfield, I am happy and I have a few options up front, but if a player like Aaron or another proven goalscorer becomes available then that would provide the finishing touches to the squad," said Tucker.

● Mangotsfield United manager Phil Bater has suffered a setback with the news that his son Geraint is likely to miss the opening matches.

The midfielder was carried off with an ankle injury in Tuesday's friendly at Almondsbury and is rated extremely doubtful for the trip to Bedfont Green a week tomorrow.

"It seems like Geraint may have broken a bone in his foot but that won't be confirmed until the swelling goes down," said Bater.

With new striker Tom Knighton ruled out as he recovers from an appendix operation, Bater's plans are being disrupted. But he is hopeful that central defender Scott Hendy, who suffered an ankle injury on Tuesday, will be fit, and he may even feature in tonight's friendly against Chippenhan Town at Cossham Street (7.30pm).

Former Bristol Rovers defender Mike Trought, who is seeking a new club after being released by Paulton Rovers, is in the Mangotsfield squad tonight.

Off the field, Bater confirmed that the club raised more than £10,000 from the draw to become Mangotsfield's shirt sponsor for the new season, with 48 local businesses buying tickets for the draw.

The winner of the competition was DBC Recruitment Ltd, while runners-up ASG Vision Ltd and Bullen & Naish Ltd will both receive a matchday hospitality package and two season tickets.

● Paulton wind up their pre-season programme with a home match against Tiverton Town tomorrow which will see Ben Cleverley return to his former club for the first time.

New signing Jon Jo O'Hara will make his Paulton debut in defence.