UNITED assistant manager Gary Hackett is hoping striker Paul Danks' hot goalscoring streak can continue until Christmas.

The former Stourbridge striker has notched ten league and cup goals in 13 games this season and attracted a posse of scouts from league clubs to The Valley.

And after being linked with QPR, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United in the past the former Walsall trainee, still in his early twenties, is being tipped for a move into the professional ranks by the Reds player-coach.

"If he can keep scoring at the rate he has this season he will be in a very strong position if clubs are interested in him after Christmas.

"He has a very good chance of stepping up and it is working well for both parties."

Bromsgrove Rovers boss Steve Daniels, who managed Danks at Stourbridge, is understood to have offered £2,500 for him, an offer rejected out of hand by Reds player-manager Nicky Cross.

And United visit Mangotsfield in the league on Saturday (ko 1pm) and Rocester on Tuesday (ko 7.30pm).