NATIONAL LEAGUE

GATESHEAD are believed to have received offers for two of their players during the January transfer window so far, writes JEFF BOWRON.

There have been no incomings or outgoings so far - but that is likely to change before the end of the month.

Port Vale manager Neil Aspin has declared an interest to take Heed midfield man Luke Hannant to the Potteries.

Gateshead’s Vanarama National League rivals FC Halifax Town have tabled a bid for their former striker Richard Peniket.

The former Fulham trainee joined Gateshead in the summer from the Shaymen and is currently out with a facial injury.

The 24-year-old has scored five goals in 25 appearances for the Heed.

Former Gateshead boss Aspin, meanwhile, brought Hannant, also 24, to the club in the summer of 2016.

A bit-part player in his first season at the International Stadium the Norwich-born player has been a stand-out performer this year.

Aspin said: “If we were to sign him now we would have to pay a transfer fee.

“He would be out of contract at the end of the season so is maybe someone we can wait on.

“But then you are running the risk that, if he does well, other clubs might be alerted as well.

“You just try to weigh everything up. But I have a good relationship with Gateshead and wouldn’t want to do anything that would spoil that.”

Gateshead manager Steve Watson, who has failed in a bid to sign Middlesbrough’s Robbie Tinkler on a permanent basis, is awre Hannant has been linked with other clubs.

Tinkler’s loan on Tyneside ended earlier this month.

Watson said: “Hannant has been one of our best players and you always want to keep your key players. But if an offer comes in that the chairman feels is impossible to turn down or that we think we can use to fill areas we’re desperate for, then we’ll have those discussions. “January is a big month. “We want to add to the squad, but you have to be patient as players you want weigh up their options.”