St Albans City's hopes of bringing Ben Martin back to the club hang in the balance.

The former player of the season left the club to join Chelmsford last summer but was recently released. He is keen to return but the defender's wages could prove a stumbling block due to the Saints' minimal playing budget.

Manager Steve Castle has spoken to Martin but is understood to have doubts about whether the Saints can afford to take him on.

In other news, goalkeeper Michael Emery has been told he can look for another club. Ross Dedman is likely to miss the rest of pre-season with his hamstring injury. The Saints entertain Blue Square Premier side Crawley Town at Clarence Park on Saturday.

St Albans City Reserves will travel to Boundary Park at the same time on Saturday for the first round of the Herts Charity Cup against local rivals Oxhey Jets.