Stafford manager Chris Brindley is facing an uphill battle to keep star striker David McNiven at Marston Road.

The future of last season’s top scorer has been the topic of debate since his two-year contract expired at the campaign’s end, putting the club free of any legally-binding deals until the core of next season’s squad is pinned down.

Known to be the highest earner on the books – after signing the deal when Rangers’ were still in the Blue Square Premier – his salary even after it was halved in last December’s financial cuts was thought to be substantial.

There is also problems with the player commuting from his Lancashire home, with McNiven living practically on the doorstep of Blue Square North rivals Fleetwood.

They came in for the 31-year-old in October but then-manager Steve Bull vetoed a month’s loan move after suffering a striker shortage.

But Micky Mellon’s side have the resources to revive their interest as the summer wares on.

Even Rangers sssistant boss Darren Read commented that McNiven “must pass four or five clubs” on the way down to Stafford, doubting whether a mutually-agreeable deal could be worked out.

Brindley knows the odds are stacked against him keeping the forward.

He said: “I have spoken to David and we know it’s hard for him, he lives a long way away so to come and play for us is a strain on him. Also, if he did stay, he wouldn’t be earning anywhere what he did when he was under contract with us.

“He may still be here next season if he can’t get fixed up, we will have to wait and see.”

Despite the problems that come with McNiven, Rangers given the choice would like to keep hold of the player, a proven goalscorer at non-league level.

But the manager knows the financial position at Marston Road could see his hands tied.

The club have already lost skipper Wayne Daniel, left-back Liam Murray and goalkeeper Tim Sandercombe to better offers this summer.

Naturally, he doesn’t want to lose his most potent striker as well.

Brindley said: “Of course I want to keep him, he’s a player who can make us a better team. But I wanted to keep Liam Murray, I wanted to keep Tim Sandercombe and I wanted to keep Wayne Daniel – it’s not always in my hands.

“Everybody was made an offer and I can’t force them to sign.”