Newport County's prolific goal-scorer Garry Shephard tops Chippenham Town manager Tommy Saunders' hit-list.

The flamboyant Chippenham chief is ready to make a bid for the 26-year-old Welsh semi-pro striker, who has scored 13 goals this term, in the summer.

Fresh from taking Scott Walker from Newport Stadium on Monday, Saunders wants hitman Shephard to pair-up with ex-County striker Martin Paul at Hardenhuish Park next season as they bid for Nationwide Conference football.

A source close to Chippenham Town said: "Tommy Saunders has made no secret of the fact that he is a big admirer of Garry Shephard and he will look to make a bid in the summer.

"Tommy also knows that a few Newport County players become free agents at the end of the season so he'll then make a few enquiries."

However, County boss Peter Nicholas will be very reluctant to sell as he's also a huge fan of Shephard and rewarded him with a lucrative two-year extension to his current contract in January - tying him to Newport until 2005.

Shephard, a huge favourite with the County faithful, has made no secret of his love for the club, insisting: "I am only to happy to stay on at Newport because I love the place."

Speaking about boss Nicholas, Shephard added: "He's tactically very astute and his ambitions match mine.

"I wouldn't have signed a new deal if I didn't believe we are more than capable of achieving promotion to the Conference."

Shephard has scored 53 goals in 120 starts for County since signing from Merthyr Tydfil for £3,000 and plus midfielder Dean Clarke.

Nicholas, meanwhile, explained that midfielder Walker was "never in his long-term plans" so he allowed the 22-year-old to move to Chippenham.

Exiles midfielder Michael Fowler faces a late fitness test on his back problem before Nicholas picks his squad for Saturday's Dr Martens League Premier Division trip to Hednesford Town.