LEE Trundle and Chorley are deadlocked over the 21-year-old forward's wish to leave the club.

He has made it clear that he no longer wants to play for the UniBond League side and has not reported back since the end of last season.

The club has put him on the transfer list but wants to be handsomely recompensed for a player who cost £7,000 from Burscough two years ago and was rated one of the finest in non-league.

"Only last season he was the million-pound rated non-league player," said chairman Jack Kirkland.

"He was looked at by Barnsley, Charlton Athletic and others but no firm offer was made.

"He is still registered with Chorley and until another club is willing to pay for him he will remain registered here."

Chorley are reported to be asking for at least £10,000 from interested parties, a figure Mr Kirkland refused to confirm.

But Trundle says he has been kept in the dark after informing the club of his desire to play at a higher level.

"They have never told me that other clubs have been looking at me - I've only found out about these things through the newspapers," said Trundle, a charge Kirkland denies completely.

"They tried to keep it from me. That's why I don't want to sign another contract for them.

"At the moment I'm just playing for local sides in the parks and I have been training with Southport.

"But I don't want to play for Chorley again.

"I've been there two years and, apart from the run we had in the FA Trophy, we haven't really done anything. We've just been fighting in mid-table.

"I want to be in a side that's pushing to win things."

Trundle is now out of contract but, because he is registered with Chorley, they are entitled to set a fee for his transfer.

"I think they're asking for stupid prices of any club that is interested in me," said Trundle, who was fined two weeks' wages for missing the first game of the season against Blyth Spartans and has not been paid since.

"I don't even know how much they're asking for.

"I asked the manager, Bryan Griffiths, and he wouldn't tell me.

"My concern now is that the clubs who were interested in me might lose interest if I'm not playing.

"I don't want to be just forgotten.

"My situation won't change until someone comes in and is willing to pay the money."

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