CRAWLEY skipper John Mackie is on the verge of a move to second division Bournemouth.

Club chairman John Maggs will have discussions with Cherries' boss Mel Machin today after Mackie impressed in a reserve team game on Wednesday.

Maggs said: "I will talk to Mel today and we'll take it from there, nothing has been discussed yet but it won't surprise me if John goes, he's been head and shoulders above everyone in the last few weeks."

Millwall are also believed to be interested in the 22-year-old who is contracted to Crawley until 2001.

He played against Peterborough at London Road in a 1-1 draw, operating on the right-hand side of three central defenders against an attack led by former Stoke striker Martin Carruthers and Guiliano Grazioli, who scored against Newcastle for Stevenage in the FA Cup last season.

Mackie said: "It was definitely a faster pace than what I'm used too but I didn't do too badly. The manager, John Williams, said he was pretty impressed and said I will get another game."

North London-based Mackie, who runs his own fruit and veg business, had reserve games for Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Reading last season but none of those clubs followed up their interest.

But the former Arsenal trainee, who joined the club in 1995, has been in outstanding form this season.

"All I've ever wanted to do is play full-time. You can only do your best in these reserve games and if they like you then with a bit of luck you can get your foot on the ladder."

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