SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: MELKSHAM Town goalkeeper Gareth Evans is set to commit himself to the club until the end of the season by becoming the only player on contract at the Conigre.

The club are offering him a contract for the rest of this campaign with the option of extending it for next season and he is due to sign it over the weekend.

Evans, 20, is looking to do some goalkeeping coaching for another club in the area, possibly Forest Green Rovers, and Melksham have moved quickly to ensure he will still remain their number one.

Melksham manager Nigel Tripp, said: "Giving Gareth a contract should work for both sides. It safeguards his future with us but should also make him a better player.

"If he goes to another club to coach there would always be the danger of him being snapped up to play for them so this way we are making sure he can't just leave us.

"If you lose your keeper you could be in trouble because they are not so easy to replace as outfield players.

"He has been playing really well for us and by doing extra training it can only improve him. It will also stop him playing for a Sunday club."

Evans joined Melksham in the summer after enjoying a spell at Westbury last season. Before that he played for Minehead but he admits Melksham is where his heart is.

Evans said: "I am a Melksham lad and love playing for them. Playing in the Screwfix is a great experience for me and Nigel and Pete Tripp have helped me a lot.

"It is very flattering to be offered a contract and when I first heard about it I was a bit taken aback.

"I am going to go to another club to do some coaching and the contract will make sure I stay a Melksham Town player. Although I have no intention of going anywhere.

"Obviously I want to play football at a high a level as possible but for the moment I am more than happy at Melksham."

After Saturday's win at Elmore, Melksham go into tomorrow's Screwfix Premier League encounter at Exmouth full of confidence and Evans believes the team can only get better.

He said: "A few new players have come in and we are looking good. We have a young team and that means we can all only improve.

"Exmouth is a big game and if we can get six points out of that game and our match against Dawlish the week after we will be up nearer mid table.

"Hopefully we can keep climbing up the table and then carry it on into next season."

New signing James Cheeseman is expected to make his debut tomorrow.

The 20-year-old defender was released by Bristol Rovers just before Christmas and should add some steel to the Melksham defence.

Striker John Freegard is still struggling with a hamstring injury while Gary Banks is also doubtful with a groin injury.

But Tripp is able to recall midfielder Neil Thomas and defender Brian Kayll who were both unavailable for last week's game.

Tripp will be making an approach to Calne Town for defender Darren Smart and to Devizes for Nathan Perkins.

He attempted to sign a midfielder from a North Wiltshire side in the Southern league but his approach was spurned.

He said: "The manager in question would not even think about it. I don't know why perhaps he felt threatened.

"The player is just coming back from injury and we would have been doing them a favour by giving him some matches."