FED-UP boss Tommy Saunders has given unsettled keeper James Bittner a week to make a decision on his future.

Bittner could play for Exeter City this weekend but Saunders hopes he will commit his future to Chippenham if the trial proves unsuccessful.

"It's going to be decision time for James soon," added Saunders. "If he doesn't manage to get a professional contract at another club I would love him to sign on for us again.

"But if he doesn't decide by next week Mark Hervin will have to be our number one for the new season."

Bittner has been training with Yeovil Town this week after his trial with Third Division Southend United ended prematurely.

Earlier this summer the 21-year-old former Fulham goalkeeper saw a move to Woking fall through and he is currently out of contract at Hardenhuish Park.

His primary aim remains to earn a contract with a professional club, but if he decides to stay at Chippenham he will have to battle for a starting place with new-boy Mark Hervin who signed from Cirencester Town in May.

Bittner had been training with Queens Park Rangers on weekdays last season, but his hopes of a move to Loftus Road were dashed when they lost the Division Two play-off final against Cardiff City in May.

Last week the keeper was training with Southend, after being recommended to the Roots Hall club by QPR boss Ian Holloway, and he had hoped to be involved in a pre-season friendly with Gillingham this week.

But things did not work out for him at Division Three club when his trial was unfortunately hampered by injury.

"The Southend thing was a bit of a nightmare and I had to pull out through injury," said Bittner.

"I was with them for a few days but I picked up bad bruising and gashes from the hard surface in training and in the end I just couldn't train well.

"I had a word with the manager, Steve Wignall, and said I just needed to go home and get myself sorted out."

He added: "It was disappointing but they might come back to me."

With his niggles cleared up Bittner has spent the past week training with Third Division Yeovil Town, who drew 0-0 in a friendly with Chippenham at Hardenhuish Park last Monday, although he said he was not expecting to be signed by the league newcomers.

Said Bittner: "I'm just helping them out really. Their first choice keeper Chris Weale is out injured and they needed some cover for Steve Collis. I played the last 25 minutes in their friendly with Brentford on Saturday and should be involved against Preston this week.

"I don't know if this came about through the Chippenham match but I had a phone call from their manager Gary Johnson on Friday afternoon.

"I'm training with them at the moment and am just there to help them out. But you never know what it might lead to."

Bittner is also waiting to hear back from his agent, who is currently holidaying in Spain, on developments concerning potential interest in him from two unnamed Division Two clubs and another Division Three team.

He added that he had been also approached by a Nationwide Conference side and said he would consider making the move to that level of football if a formal offer was made.

"They seem quite interested and would be offering first team football which would be great for me," he added. "I don't know where I will be at the start of the season, but there is still four weeks to go and there is plenty of time."