BOSS Mark Jermyn believes it is difficult not to pick Nathan Walker as the focal point to the Magpies’ attack at present, but also underlined his defensive qualities.

Makeshift striker Walker, who has been flitting seamlessly between playing at centre-half and up front for the Magpies, popped up with what proved to be the decisive goal against Bideford on Monday in the 3-2 win in Devon.

That was added on top of his goal against the Robins at the Avenue earlier this month, as well as a double which won the game for Dorchester at King’s Lynn Town.

Speaking about Walker, who had a spell at Gosport earlier in the campaign, Jermyn added: “It’s hard not to put Nathan up front because, whenever he plays up there, he is scoring around one in two at the moment.

“But when he comes back in the defence, like he did against Bideford, he is strong, dominant, and is everything you want from a centre-half.”

Asked whether he would like to keep hold of the former Avenue captain next season and use him in both roles, Jermyn added: “It’s a no-brainer from my point of

view.

“We would like to keep him and I don’t think that there’s going to be any difficulty in Nathan staying next season.

“You need a level of consistency and he is one of the senior players now. He gives us a good base.”