CHIPPENHAM Town boss Mark Collier has conceded he may have to make plans without goalkeeper Jared Thompson between the posts for his side next season.

The 19-year-old Chelsea goalkeeper enjoyed great success during his season-long loan at Hardenhuish Park, as the Bluebirds claimed 13th place in their maiden National League South campaign.

Following that success, naturally there has been added interest in the Chelsea youngster and Collier admits he is no closer to securing the stopper for another year.

“There is a goalkeeping situation to sort out regarding Jared and Chelsea,”he said.

“His future is up in the air because there are so many people involved in it.

“He has another year at Chelsea, but as I understand they have had a couple of offers for him from Football League clubs.

“We are on the back burner really. He could well stay at Chelsea, which means they could loan him back out. If they do, I’d like to think we are at the front of the queue.

“It’s out of Jared’s hands, it’s out of my hands and I would imagine that we aren’t going to have him next season.”

With the teenager’s return growing more and more unlikely, Collier has been forced to cast his net wide for a replacement.

However, although the manager says he would consider a loan, he explained there are both positives and negatives of making a more permanent acquisition.

“The goalkeepers who I have spoken to are all aware that if Jared does become available, then I am going to take him,” he said.

“There are two reasons behind that. One is that he did very well for us last year and the second is that he is free of charge and that helps the playing budget.

“I am speaking to a couple of clubs about loaning another goalkeeper. However, it’s a problem when that keeper can be recalled.

“You know the score, clubs train on a Friday, someone breaks their finger and our keeper gets recalled to sit on the bench somewhere and we are then struggling.

“That is an issue there. With Jared, he was on loan for the season so we knew he was going to be available all the time.

“So if we take a keeper from a lower-league club, in the second division or the third division, there’s always the risk they’d get recalled.

“The goalkeepers I have been speaking to from around the area come at a cost, so that is something I have to consider as well.”

Collier would like to bring in another one alongside a goalkeeper, as he aims to strengthen with another striker. He has made three signings in Jack Compton, George Rigg and Yan Klukowski while Alex Ferguson, Dean Evans, Matt Smith, Jon Beeden and Jake Jackson have all agreed terms to stay.