BROMSGROVE Rovers' management team has vowed not to lose the club's best players.

Manager Jimmy Mullen has becoming increasingly concerned about losing some of his star performers to their rivals after Rovers caught the eye of many clubs during their excellent run to the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

Midfielder Wayne Dyer has proved to be an important part in Rovers' brilliant run of form and was the subject of a seven day approach by struggling Telford last week.

In a statement Mullen and assistant Bernard Mackie said: "On Tuesday 18th Telford verbally approached us with seven days for Wayne Dyer.

Over the last two we have been in contact with Wayne to discuss the situation. After these discussions we are confident that Wayne will remain with the club.

Wayne stated that he is enjoying his football, and would not leave to join a club that are struggling for results, when he can see the progress being made on the pitch at Bromsgrove.

We would like you to know that we intend to keep the nucleus of the team together for a long time and we are building for the future. The chairman has given us his full backing and support in this matter."

Mackie, who was set to speak to Dyer before last night's game at Bedworth said: "I've spoke to Wayne and he says he wants to stay.

"As long as he's true to his word then he's going nowhere.

"Our FA Cup run has put us in the spotlight and the likes of Scott Hadland, Exodus Geohaghan and Matthew Barnes-Homer have all caught the eye.

Contract

"We'd love to put some of the lads under contract, but the club can't afford it."

Manager Mullen is hoping the FA Cup run, whiched ended with a 2-0 loss to Morecambe on Saturday, can spur his side onto promotion from the Southern League Division One West.

He said: "At the end of the day we lost because of two errors which allowed Morecambe to score.

"But I can't blame the players for defeat, they were absolutely brilliant and gave everything.

"We were not overshadowed and not overran and we gave as good as we got all game. We were up against a full time side, but we never stopped working and did not let up the pressure.

"I couldn't have asked for more from the players, they gave me everything they had.

"Now we have to concentrate on the league, that's the main priority.

"We've proved we can beat sides from above, but now we have to show we are good enough to win promotion.

"We've only lost two games in the last ten and we need to keep the sort of excellent consistency going."

Rovers will have revenge on their minds when they got to Swindon Supermarine on Saturday (3pm kick off).

Mullen's side lost 2-0 to Swindon in September.

Rovers then got to Solihull Borough for the next round of the League Cup on November 2.

Striker Jason Ramsay left Bromsgrove Rovers last week after complaining about not pinning down a first team place.

By Peter McKinney