EASTWOOD Town are bracing themselves for offers from Football League clubs for Sam Duncum after the winger's impressive start to the season.

The Badgers have endured a disappointing opening, having lost five of their first six games.

But former Rotherham United youngster Duncum has caught the eye with his dribbling skills and dangerous crosses into the box.

The 23-year-old has the rest of the season to run on his contract, having joined last season.

But manager Paul Cox admits he may struggle to keep hold of his prized asset if the Badgers are offered the right kind of money.

"There has been a lot of interest in Sam and there were scouts at the Corby game last Saturday all the way from the Premiership to the Championship and the rest of the Football League," said Cox.

"When you are working at this level, you want to see lads go on and make it at a higher level and I don't think Sam would look out of place in the Championship with the ability he has with the ball at his feet.

"What he's doing now is putting the work ethic together with what he can do on the ball.

"We have worked to help him improve when he hasn't got the ball and he has listened and learned to come on leaps and bounds.

"He's been outstanding and put some fantastic balls in the box, along with Lindon Meikle, that haven't always been converted.

"The amount of calls I've had about him has been absolutely immense and I would have thought that at some point someone will want to talk about taking him.

"We don't want to be silly and price Sam out of a move by asking for a stupid fee. As long as we were compensated, we would be happy.

"He knows there is interest, but while he is here I'm sure he will continue to work hard, because he is a great lad."

Duncum was part of the Eastwood teams to encounter mixed fortunes over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Badgers recorded their much-needed first victory of the season last Saturday with a 2-1 win over Corby Town at Coronation Park. But they were then beaten 1-0 by Boston United on Monday – although they were unlucky not to take at least a point.

Cox said: " I think this has to be the most frustrated I have been as a manager.

"I have had spells where we have not played well and lost games, but I have never had such a bad run when we are playing pretty well.

"Usually, you can point to the fact the side is not good enough or that you are doing something badly wrong. But I don't think we are.

"We deserved our win over Corby.

"At Boston, I couldn't be too critical of the lads because they did all the right things, but still ended up losing."

Eastwood make the short trip to the New Manor Ground to face local rivals Ilkeston Town tomorrow.

"People might think that, because we have such a poor record in this fixture, I would just want it erasing from the fixture list, but they would be wrong," said Cox.

"These are the type of games you want to be involved in as a manager, when they really mean something to the supporters.

"I know the players are looking forward to it as well and if we can get a win it just might be the spark to get us on a run of better form."

Andy Todd starts a three-match suspension but Matt Rhead is back after missing the Boston game through work commitments.