HAMPTON & Richmond Borough have responded to interest from football's top table in defender Dean Inman by tying him down on a new 18 month contract extension.
Former Beavers youth team player Inman has twice been on trial with Premiership side QPR this season, also playing for their reserves, having impressed in a pre-season friendly between the two clubs.
However, if Hampton do lose Inman in the new year, they made sure of adequate compensation by getting him to sign a new deal following Monday's disappointing home defeat to rivals Staines.
Inman said: “I'm happy about the new contract. I've been here since I was 16 and I see it as my club.
“I love playing for Hampton. I'm only 21 and only about 13 games from my 100th appearance. I'm looking forward to making that, and it will be a special day for me.”
Hampton fell behind on 27 minutes to Staines on Boxing Day when they failed to clear a corner, and Marc Charles-Smith was there to finish when the ball was played back into the six-yard box.
Disaster then struck when, just three minutes later, Beavers keeper Craig Ross made a hash of cutting out a low drive from the byline from Scott Taylor, succeeding only in diverting the ball into his own net.
Within 45 seconds of the restart for the second half, however, Hampton had pulled one back, when Nathan Collier set up JJ O'Donnell to find some space on the left and fire home a cracking drive from the edge of the 18-yard box.
And although the goal proved only to be a consolation in a 2-1 defeat, it was enough to keep Hampton above Staines on goal difference, staying 20 th in the Blue Square South table.
The Beavers will have the chance to forge some instant revenge when they make the return journey to Staines tomorrow.
