MANSFIELD Town have admitted an interest in striker Chris Beardsley but are distancing themselves from any talk of a transfer tribunal.

The Kidderminster Harriers 21-year-old, who has been offered a 12-month contract at Aggborough next season, wants to leave for the lure of staying in the Football League.

And Mansfield, where Beardsley began his career before being released last summer, are keen to give him that opportunity.

Grimsby Town are also believed to be interested in the hard-working Derby-born player who scored five times for Harriers in their unsuccessful fight against relegation.

But Stuart Watkiss will hold out for a fee as Beardsley is under 24 and the boss is prepared to go to a transfer tribunal if necessary.

However, Stags manager Carlton Palmer, the former Nottingham Forest midfielder, said: "I have spoken to Kidderminster about bringing Chris back here.

"He is one of several young players that should never have been allowed to leave here and he is Mansfield through and through. The lad is keen to come back.

"The only problem is that Kidderminster are talking about a fee and I wouldn't pay one for him or go to a tribunal. But he's still only a young lad and would be a useful acquisition."

Harriers captured Beardsley on a free from Doncaster who would be entitled to 50 per cent of any fee.

The striker said: "No-one has done more for me in my career than Stuart Watkiss. But if there's a chance of staying in the League then I don't want to miss it.

"And with the state of the club up in the air, everything's uncertain."

n Harriers' Under 18s clinched runners-up place in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Premier Division with a 5-4 mid-week win at Moor Green.