NATHAN Walker has quashed speculation surrounding his immediate future at the Avenue by confirming that he will stay with Dorchester Town for the rest of the season.

The 28-year-old was the subject of a recent approach by Gosport Borough and there had been dialogue between the two clubs.

However, Walker told Echosport yesterday that he will see out the remainder of his current Magpies’ contract before assessing his options in the summer.

Dorchester boss Mark Jermyn said earlier this week that he didn’t want Walker to leave, and the latter’s brace against Arlesey on Tuesday demonstrated just how important he is to the county town side.

A defender by trade, Walker’s effectiveness as a striker has become more apparent over the last few weeks.

With Dan Smith, he is now the club’s joint top scorer across all competitions this term – both have netted 10 times – though Walker has one more than his team-mate in the league.

Walker admits he would like to be scoring goals at a higher level again one day, but for now he is a Dorchester player.

“Gosport put in an approach for me and I do want to play at the highest level I can,” he said.

“But my current contract at Dorchester runs until the end of the season and I will see it out.

“I’ll then look at what’s on the table in the summer and see what happens.

“My focus for now is on Dorchester and keeping them in the league.”

If Walker keeps up his impressive scoring record – he has netted six goals in his last six matches – he has every chance of helping keep Dorchester in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division this season.

It was under Graham Kemp that Walker was thrust into a forward role when the paperwork for Ben Watson’s move from Bideford didn’t go through in time ahead of the game at Chesham early last month.

And the former Weymouth defender has certainly made the most of his opportunity, though he is quick to recognise the support he gets from his team-mates.

“It all came from the game at Chesham and I haven’t looked back since,” he added.

“Ben Watson and Dan Smith have been a great help by talking to me throughout games and pulling me into position.

“I’m up there to create chances for them as well and the understanding between us is only getting better.

“I’m a defender so I want to defend, but at the end of the day if the manager wants me to play up front I will do it for the team.”

And on the new management team of Jermyn and Nick Crittenden, he continued: “Both of them approach the game really positively and that rubs off on the team.

“Jem has got all the experience he needs next to him in Critts and he couldn’t have a better right-hand man.”