AFC Telford United manager Rob Smith claims Elliott Durrell will be signing for Chester FC.

Smith had hoped to tempt the 26-year-old to New Bucks Head but has now told the Shropshire Star that move is dead in the water.

Durrell, who netted 14 times for National League North side Tamworth last season, has been linked with Boston United and FC Halifax Town as well as the Blues.

And Smith believes the attacking midfielder is heading for the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium.

Smith said: "He’s going to Chester, as far as I’m aware. If he calls to tell me he’s not, then I’d be amazed.

"If he wanted to sign for us there was something there a while back, but not now.

"There’s nothing happening with him and there’s no offer on the table for him. There comes a time where we need to move on.

"Elliott wants to speak to this club and that club and I will only focus on players who are serious about coming to Telford and that’s what we’re doing.

"I’m not prepared to wait and wait forever because, if you do that, you miss out on people.

"It’s probably been a period of five or six weeks on and off and we can’t afford to do that."

Former Wrexham midfielder Elliott Durrell has been linked with a move to Chester
Former Wrexham midfielder Elliott Durrell has been linked with a move to Chester

Shrewsbury-based Durrell began his career at Telford before moving to Hednesford Town, where he scored 104 goals in 240 games.

He transferred to Wrexham for an undisclosed fee in January 2014 but departed at the end of 2014/15 season having been restricted to 30 appearances, claiming he had not had a 'fair crack of the whip'.

Meanwhile, Telford have signed ex-Chester forward Tom Peers.

The 20-year-old featured 37 times for the first-team after coming through the club's academy, scoring four goals.

Warrington-born Peers left the Blues in March to sign for Hednesford where he previously had a spell when Smith was manager and has now linked up with him again.

"I took Tom on loan to Hednesford the year before last and he’s very versatile," Smith told the Shropshire Star.

Tom Peers celebrates scoring against Macclesfield Town for Chester last season
Tom Peers celebrates scoring against Macclesfield Town for Chester last season

"He can play down the middle or wide and will give us that flexibility. He’s also strong and powerful and he’s looking to bounce back at a higher level.

"He’s quite a physical player, he works hard and he’s got goals in him so he’s a very good acquisition.

"I think one of his spells at Hednesford was cut short by injury but he played against Hednesford for Chester in a pre-season friendly and was superb."