Gillingham, Barnet and Stevenage are in a three-way battle to sign Boreham Wood midfielder Conor Clifford.
The 24-year-old joined the National League side in the summer after leaving Southend United following the Shrimpers’ promotion to League One.
But after impressing as captain for the newly-promoted Hertfordshire side, the former Republic of Ireland U-21 international looks set for a swift return to the Football League.
Third-tier high-flyers Gillingham, plus League Two duo Stevenage and Barnet, who Clifford enjoyed a loan spell with last term, are thought to be tracking the Chelsea academy graduate.