GRAVESEND & Northfleet have opened negotiations with leading scorer Charlie MacDonald to keep him beyond the end of the season.

The 24-year-old former Charlton striker has proved a big hit at Stonebridge Road since his summer arrival, scoring 11 goals to join the most prolific marksmen in the Nationwide Conference.

His present agreement expires at the end of the season and manager Liam Daish confirmed: "We have opened talks with Charlie and his advisors. We want him to stay beyond this season until the end of the 2006-07 season. Talks are on-going and we’re hoping for a successful conclusion."

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