CHIPPENHAM Town manager Steve White has hit back at claims he dropped two of his team because they had been out drinking.

Reports and rumours on the Chippenham Town fans' website had said that club captain Wayne Thorne and brother Gary were both dropped for Saturday's FA Cup tie at New Milton and Lymington because of a night out.

But White said: "There is no truth in that rumour at all.

"Gary has been struggling with a foot injury after he dropped a door on his foot three weeks ago.

"He has been unable to train and has missed seven sessions. I felt he needs to be training to maintain his fitness.

"Wayne has not been playing up to the high standards he has set himself previously. I spoke to him and told him I would be leaving him out on Saturday. I'm fed up with these rumours, no one says anything when I drop someone when we are winning games.''

Rene Regis took over the captaincy on Saturday and White said he will be given the chance to keep the armband.

"If he wants it I am happy for him to continue,'' he said.

White has been ruinning his eye over former Swindon Town resreve tea striker Mark Draycott, who has just returned from playing in America.

Draycott, who lives in Lydiard Millicent, grew up in Swindon and went to Brandon Forest Secondary School in Purton.

White said: "He will be here for a few weeks to see what he can do.''