MATT HEYWOOD has been warned that he may miss the boat if he doesn't sign a new contract soon.

The Brentford skipper is still yet to sign a new deal as he wants two years, while Brentford are reluctant to offer more than one.

And despite Heywood being favourite to be named Brentford's player-of-the-year, boss Andy Scott insists he won't hold out or break the bank for him.

Scott said: "Our offer still stands with Matt, and we hope to have it sorted in the next couple of weeks. "He thinks he might be able to get a better deal elsewhere, and he is perfectly entitled to do so. "But in the meantime, I will be looking at other centre-backs. And if nothing comes up elsewhere for Matt, the tide may already be out for him."

Scott has already laid down the law to one of his more experienced players this week. Keeper Simon Brown did not even make the bench for Saturday's home defeat to Hereford, following his two bloopers at Lincoln.

Scott said: "I've told Simon he's not my number one keeper next season. "I'd love him to stay as he'd be a very strong number two, but he obviously wants to be first choice and will look elsewhere."

The Bees are believed to be close to a deal to bring back Reading keeper Ben Hamer back on loan next season. Hamer has been stalling on a new contract with the Royals, who won't ship him out again until the deal is sealed.

Scott added: "Ben is still in negotiation with Reading, so we are monitoring the situation closely."

Meanwhile, Charlie Ide has been told he has to buck his ideas up following his return from a loan spell from Lewes. Scott added: "Charlie is back in training with us, and he knows he has got to do better than he has done."