Interest in The New Saints stopper Connell Rawlinson
The New Saints are fighting to keep hold of Connell Rawlinson – after the key defender turned down the club’s initial contract offer.
The 26-year-old has been with the Welsh Premier League leaders for eight years but there is interest in Rawlinson’s services with his current deal at Park Hall running out in the summer.
The Shropshire Star understands there has been interest from English League Two side Port Vale, as well as a handful of full-time clubs from the National League.
But the club are said to be in negotiations with the powerful defender, who has made more than 200 appearances for the Saints.
Boss Scott Ruscoe said: "We are currently in talks with a two or three players whose deals are up at the end of the season."
Rawlinson is a regular in Ruscoe’s side – who have won six consecutive top-flight titles – and has been a mainstay for the Oswestry-based outfit for a number of seasons. He has appeared in around 30 European clashes for the Welsh champions.
Chester-based Rawlinson’s performance have caught the eye and led to a potential call-up to the Wales C international side, managed by former Wrexham star Mark Jones, who have a fixture against England on Tuesday, March 20 in Barry.
The centre-half has scored once in 24 games in all competitions for Ruscoe’s men this term.
