Rangers rocked by wantaway Mills

The six-goal forward entered talks yesterday with the Impact Arena outfit and is expected to sign today, with the prospect of a contract in the works.

The likelihood of Mills joining the Rangers squad to make the long trip to Blyth Spartans to play in the FA Trophy match tomorrow are slim - any involvement in the game would leave him cup-tied for his prospective new club.

It is a huge blow for Rangers boss Chris Brindley, who plucked the 20-year-old from two levels below with Leek in the summer after a six-month chase and blooded him in the first-team.

Now the manager must face up to the fact that his unearthed gem is on the way out.

He said: "It looks like Ben is signing for somebody else as he is expected to go to Alfreton. Looks like they have made him an offer he can't turn down. It's very disappointing and a real blow to us, because he was just starting to come into his own.

"Obviously the search will now start for a replacement."

The Rangers boss is also sweating on the fitness of Nick Wellecomme, Mills' strike partner and club top scorer with seven goals, who is suffering from a back injury.

Brindley said: "Nick is still a doubt, but we remain hopeful that he will make it. He may have to play in a bit of pain, because we need him for the game."

There will also be a Rangers return for defender Jermaine Johnson, who has rejoined on loan from Championship club Derby, who will replace the suspended Manny Udoji in defence.

Eugene Francis stands by to replace Mills, while new signing Patrick Samba can expect at least a place on the bench with doubts over Wellecomme's fitness.

Now an all-Blue Square North tie lies in wait at Croft Park and, with £4,000 up for grabs and money for players needed, Brindley is looking to progress.

The manager said: "We are hopeful, but it will be a tight game as we are in a similar position in the league. It's cup competition and we have got a good chance to get through."