PORTSMOUTH are likely to agree to striker Rowan Vine having a second season on loan to Brentford so now it is up to the player to decide (writes TONY FLOOD).

Vine, who is likely to be recalled by Bees for their last game of the season at home to Peterborough on Saturday (3pm), said earlier in the season that he was looking forward to playing for Pompey in the Premiership next term. But the reality is that he would only be a fringe player for the newly promoted South coast club.

Bees manager Wally Downes, who has agreed a new one-year contract for himself, says: "I have spoken with Portsmouth's assistant manager Jim Smith and he intimated they might agree to Rowan staying with us next season. But ultimately it would be up to Rowan."

The 20-year-old Vine is Brentford's top scorer with 13 goals so, if he does stay and Brentford manage to sign another forward, then they are unlikely to ask Nottingham Forest to let them keep their other loan striker, Mikael Antoine-Curier, who has a lot less first team experience than Vine.

Chief scout John Griffin reveals: "We will be making a bid for non-league hot shot Scott Ramsay, who is under contract to Easbourne Borough. He has trained with us and Eastbourne did agree that he could play in our reserves, but they then changed their minds.

"If we don't get him then we have other players in mind. Clubs are likely to be forced to make a massive clear-out during the close season and there should be some bargains available."

Brentford themselves are likely to release two or three players. They have already told Mark Williams he is surplus to requirements and he played for Bournemouth Reserves against QPR Reserves on Tuesday with a view to joining them.

Meanwhile, Bees will be offering new contracts to Jamie Fullarton, Leo Roget, Ibrahima Sonko, Steve Hunt and Kevin O'Connor. Mark Peters, Jay Tabb and Lee Fieldwick are contracted for another year.

Downes and Griffin have lined up seven pre-season friendlies for the Bees, one of them against Premiership new boys Portsmouth at Griffin Park on Tuesday August 5th.

First Division Reading will also be coming to Brentford on Tuesday July 15th. The Royals who snatched promotion from the Bees just over a year ago, are now in the play-offs with a chance of going up for the second successive season.

The first of the Bees five away matches kicks off on Saturday July 19th when they play at League newcomers Yeovil.

This will be the start of a week`s pre season training break for the Bees in the West country, at Bath University. On Tuesday July 22nd the Bees take on Exeter City and on Saturday July 26th they face Dorchester Town.

Bees' two final away friendlies are at Staines Town on Tuesday July 29th and Farnborough on Saturday August 2nd.

Swindon Town and Brentford have agreed not to fulfil their outstanding Avon Insurance Combination fixture. The Robins have serveral fixtures left to fit in and it is now left to the Avon Combination committee to decide on which team - if any - will receive points.

Brentford Reserves lost 2-1 at home to Plymouth Reserves this week despite going ahead through a Rob Traynor penalty.

The Bees fielded a youthful side, with 18-year-old trialist Matt Harrold from Harlow Town spearheading the attack alongside Lloyd Blackman. Second-year scholar Steve McNamara slotted in at left-back and 17-year-old Josh Lennie made his Combination debut in goal as Alan Julian was suffering from a leg strain. Jay Lovett captained the side, back from his loan spell at Gravesend and Northfleet.

But they could not prevent Plymouth scoring through Wayne O'Sullivan and Osvaldo Lopes in the 61st and 82nd minutes.

Brentford Reserves line-up was: Lennie, Lovett (capt), Thomas, Fieldwick, McNamara, Traynor, Rehman (L. Muldowney, 82mins), Tabb, Allen-Page (Wells, 78 mins), Harrold, Blackman (Gauci, 75 mins).