STUART Watkiss has cried foul over an alleged illegal approach for Kidderminster Harriers striker Chris Beardsley.

Harriers manager Watkiss is determined to hold out for compensation as Beardsley is under 24 and cannot leave on a Bosman-style free transfer.

The 20-year-old, who bagged five goals after signing from Doncaster in December, is attracting the attention of a Coca-Cola League Two club.

And Beardsley, who used to play for Watkiss at Mansfield, has confessed he would jump at the chance to stay in the league ranks rather than dropping to the Conference. But the Harriers boss has spoken to his rival manager at the mystery club and insisted he will not be losing the player, who has been offered a new contract at Aggborough, for nothing.

Watkiss said: "He's under 24 so I'm not prepared at this time to let him go for free. We have to protect ourselves.

"If we do have an offer from an interested party, then we will consider it."

Beardsley, who was not involved in the final league game at Northampton last weekend, will be subject to a transfer tribunal if he does not stay with Harriers.