Poppies 'in the hunt' to snap up striker Rhead

Matt Rhead, pictured during his time at Mansfield Town, is a transfer target for Kettering Town boss Paul Cox

The rumour mill has been rolling since the Poppies boss revealed a frontman was at the top of his list as he bids to add another player or two to his squad for the Vanarama National League North run-in.

Rhead, who had a spell with Corby Town before playing under Cox in Mansfield Town’s title-winning team in what is now the National League, is a free agent at present after he left Billericay Town in October last year.

With Cox having worked closely with the 35-year-old in the past, Rhead’s name is one that has been mentioned regularly amongst the Poppies fanbase since his departure from Billiericay.

And the Kettering manager believes they are “in the hunt” to snap up the big centre-forward, although Cox admitted they are probably part of a long queue of clubs.

When asked whether about Rhead after the Poppies’ 3-0 win over Brackley Town in the semi-final of the NFA Hillier Senior Cup at Latimer Park last night, Cox said: “Matt’s always going to be on the radar because of my relationship with him.

“I had Matt from a really young age and I have never been too far away from him. I get along, not just with him, but with his family.

“He hasn’t got a club at the minute. Would we like to sign him? Absolutely. Have I tried to sign him? Absolutely.

“Matt has still got a lot of Football League clubs who are monitoring him and I am really respectful because I know he still has ambitions to play at that level.

“It’s one of those things where we just have to be patient and I am sure Matt will make a right decision.

“But if we were to get him we would be getting a marquee centre-forward but everyone is after one of those!

“There are a lot of people with a lot more healthier budgets who are probably first in line.

“I have been in contact with him on a week-to-week basis ever since he left Billericay.

“It would be great to sign him, I think he would excite the Kettering fans this season and next.

“But I think there will be a massive queue of clubs looking to get him signed up.

“We are in the hunt and I think that’s a positive thing for this football club.”