BRENTFORD are in pole position to sign Dagenham & Redbridge duo Ben Strevens and Sam Saunders.

As many as eight clubs are chasing the out-of-contract pair, including Wycombe Wanderers, Exeter, Leyton Orient and Bradford.

But a source close to the players revealed the Bees lead the race.

Our source said: "Brentford are coming up as champions, so they're in the driving seat.

"Neither of them are money-motivated, they just want to play at the highest level. It's more about ambition.

"They're not young either, so want to go somewhere where they'll be playing."

Despite a big fan base, the Bantams look out of the race as they'll be stuck in League Two next season, while Dagenham boss John Still has all but given hope of keeping them.

The SAS are both based around London too, and have played their whole careers down south.

Twenty-nine-year-old striker Strevens started his career at Barnet before moves to Crawley and then the Daggers, while right-winger Saunders (pictured), 25, was a trainee in west London with QPR, before stints with Welling, Ashford Town (Kent) and Carshalton.

And neither player would fancy moving up north, according to our source.

"Ben is based in Watford, and Sam lives in Kent, so Brentford suits them," he added.

"They could definitely cut it at that level as well. They're both good professionals, and have proved they can do it in League Two, so why not a level above?"