WATFORD are optimistic they could complete the signing of a new striker next week.

Manager Ray Lewington, who is also looking to bring in a forward on loan from a Premiership club for the season, remains "hopeful" that he is got his man, but is still declining to name the player involved.

But speculation linking Bruce Dyer with a return to Vicarage Road appears to have been enhanced after another former Hornet, Barnsley boss Glyn Hodges, all but conceded defeat in his quest to persuade the Tykes' Player of the Season to sign a new deal at Oakwell.

"Bruce will be leaving the club because we could not agree a new contract," Hodges told the Barnsley website last week. "We have spoken regularly over the last week but the package was just financially out of our league."

However, one player who will not be moving to Vicarage Road is Nicolas Massina.

The Argentinian Under-21 international caught the eye with two goals for the Ex-Watford and Ex-International XI squad during their 7-1 victory over the Hertfordshire Select XI in Saturday's Testimonial Day.

Massina previously worked with Luther Blissett at York City, and, after the game, he suggested a deal could be in the pipeline when, in broken English, he said: "I possibly come here".

However, this has been torpedoed by Lewington, who, when asked about a possible move, replied: "Absolutely no chance."

May 30, 2003 11:00