BRIDPORT defender Leigh Bailey is set to join Street after agreeing to link up with the Cobblers in pre-season.

However, Bailey will also sign dual-registration forms with the Bees and is expected to play a minor part in Bridport’s Toolstation Western League Premier Division campaign.

The Cobblers, promoted to the Southern League Division One West as champions, are additionally in talks with Bees’ man Ed Butcher having made an approach for the forward, who scored 11 goals last term.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Bees’ boss Adam Fricker was saddened that Bailey had decided to exit the club.

He said: “Leigh is going to be going up to Street in pre-season. That’s a shame, but he’s going to dual-register. He will sign for us and hopefully play a few games for us.

“He goes with our blessing – if he can play Southern League football then fair play to him, I wouldn’t hold anyone back.”

On Butcher, Fricker added: “Ed’s still waiting to talk to Street. We’re monitoring the situation but we’ve got a strong squad. Ed’s fully aware that if he chooses to go we’ll be planning to replace him.

“A lot of players can become available in a short space of time in the next month.”

Fricker also revealed that the signing of a new striker had been delayed until after the Bees’ first pre-season session on Tuesday.

He said: “It’s a case of him seeing how the travelling is going. It’s a lad we know really well. It’s just whether the distance is too much for him to travel.

“We’re comfortable with where we’re at. We’re likely to get the first week of pre-season out of the way and see what happens.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Cameron Vere, who is currently travelling, has pledged his alliance to the Bees upon his return late this year.

Fricker said: “Cam should be back in December. He’s already committed to coming back to us when he lands.

“That’s a long way off but going forward that will be a plus to get Cam back in the squad.”