THE future of Stourport Swifts' talented winger Alex Cowley continues to be shrouded in mystery.

Cowley failed to turn up for Swifts' first pre-season training session last week and is believed to want to join Redditch United.

Swifts are entitled to a fee for the player as he has been on contract and is under 24-years-old.

But they have so far turned down two offers of £200 and £250 from their big Dr Martens Western Division rivals.

Redditch's former Stourport boss Rod Brown now claims the wrangle will be solved by a tribunal setting a fee.

But Swifts chairman Chris Reynolds denied any knowledge of this and insisted Cowley would not be allowed to train with Redditch in case he picked up an injury.

Reynolds added the club had written to their fellow county club this week to tell them as much.

Swifts are yet to make a summer signing but their first pre-season friendly is not until Saturday, July 20, or Tuesday, July 23, at Alliance club Halesowen Harriers.

They open their Western Division campaign at Swindon Supermarine on Saturday, August 17.

Swifts have welcomed five or six trialists, including a former Bilston Town player and an ex-team mate of Asa Charlton's, at their three-times weekly pre-season training sessions.

Boss Tim Langford, speaking during a week's break in Spain, said: "It was a good start though we had seven or eight missing through holidays or one thing or the other.

"Many found it quite hard. The first two or three weeks will be general fitness.

"We will see what some of the trialists are like over the pre-season games. I still have a couple of players in the pipeline but it is about getting them to commit themselves."

l Swifts' league fixtures - Page 77.