You know it must be FA Cup week when our strikers are reportedly being sold as soon as we are knocked out of the competition!

Last month Ron Noades told Brentford's Clubcall service that he would be cheering on old club Crystal Palace in the third round so that he could complete the signing of Trevor Benjamin the next day. He was also said to be interested in signing Martin Butler but accused United of "moving the goalposts" and pricing him out of a move.

Since then Gillingham have claimed they also reached an agreement to sign Benjamin (right) but their manager Peter Taylor echoed the "moving the goalposts" claim and intimated the deal was dead. The Gills recently signed striker Iffy Onuora in a cut price deal but their fans claim it is still being reported that Benjamin will join in a deal worth between £500,000 and £600,000 when - you've guessed it - our FA Cup run is at an end. The Kent club are seeking a replacement for their big striker Bob Taylor who joined Manchester City for £1.5m earlier this season.

Both sides are reportedly poised to sign Benjamin as soon as possible, while Nottingham Forest boss David Platt openly admits he is among Martin Butler's many admirers. Despite the recent signing of striker Stern John, Platt has obviously not finished spending and had a bid turned down this week for Sheffield United top scorer Martin Smith, while the Christmas Eve signing of Steve Guinan from Forest was taken as a clear signal that one or both of Benjamin and Butler would be leaving the Abbey soon.