SOL DAVIS looks destined to quit the County Ground after rejecting Andy King's offer of a new contract.

The 22-year-old left back now has the choice of returning on a week to week deal or fixing himself up with another club.

It is the first contract set back King has suffered, following the decisions by Adam Willis and Alan Reeves to accept new 12 month deals.

The Town boss is disappointed that the Cheltenham-born defender has rejected the deal but he is adamant there is no room for compromise.

He said: "Sol Davis has chosen to turn down a contract which would have seen him on improved terms.

"I am very, very disappointed but the ball is very much in Sol Davis' court.

"The boy has decided that was is on offer is not acceptable to him.

"But I want to make it very clear that there is no room for negotiation here.

"Sol's deal is a fair offer with incentives built into the contract but it is also a final offer. He has a simple choice. He accepts it or he chooses to play his football elsewhere."

King said the club's financial position meant there was little room for compromise and even if there was, a principle was involved.

He said: "Throughout my managerial career, I have never given in to demands that give a player more money than I think he is worth. If I move the goalposts for Sol Davis then I have to move them for the rest of the players."

The manager believes Davis must have supreme confidence in his own ability.

He said: "At the moment Sol is injured and there is no guarantee he will even be fit for the start of the season.

"I continue to be amazed that players are happy to turn down a contract in the present climate.

"I would have thought that guaranteed employment would be enough in most cases.

"But I have been in football long enough to know that nothing should really shock you."

Davis has made around 120 appearances since making his debut during the 1997-8 season but injuries and suspensions have also seen him miss a considerable number of matches.

Although no club has made an official approach for the player, he was the subject of interest from Portsmouth last season.

But while King accepts he may have to lose Davis, his thoughts remain focused on trying to bring in fresh faces.

He spent yesterday evening watching an unspecified Second Division play-off encounter where he cast his eye over a potential recruit.

He said: "But until the embargo is lifted, there is no question of me talking to the boy."

With Davis being under 24 Town are guaranteed a fee for the player should another club come in for him.

Town have been fined £4,000 by the Football Association for the conduct of their players during the 0-0 draw with Reading in March, a game which saw three players dismissed.

Director Bob Holt said: "This is just what we didn't need."