Manager Ricky Marheineke has spoken of his delight after two St Ives Town strikers snubbed moves.

Dubi Ogbonna was the subject of an approach from Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division strugglers Corby Town less than a fortnight after he joined Saints.

But Ogbonna has turned down the advances of the Northamptonshire side only days after fellow frontman Danny Kelly declined a switch to Southern League Premier Division rivals King’s Lynn Town.

Marheineke said: “We’ve had two approaches in very quick succession - and I’m over the moon that both players have chosen to stay at St Ives Town.

“Danny turned the move to King’s Lynn down very quickly. It’s a great boost as his availability increases from this month after being restricted to a few midweek appearances for us so far.

“That has been followed by Corby coming in for Dubi, but after speaking to them, he has also decided to stay with us.

“Danny and Dubi have only played together in one game for us so far, and I’m really looking forward to seeing their partnership flourish over the coming weeks and months.”

That won’t happen just yet as Kelly and Ogbonna are both unavailable when St Ives entertain Kettering Town at ProEdge Westwood Road tomorrow, 3pm.

But one man who will be in the Saints squad is new capture Jack Bradshaw.

Marheineke has snapped up the midfielder, who can also operate at full-back, from Division One (Central) club Royston Town.

“Jack is a top player and someone I’ve been keen on for a while,” added Marheineke.

“He’s a quality performer in midfield or at right-back and he’ll add plenty of strength to the squad.” St Ives sit third-bottom in the Premier Division table, one point from safety while tomorrow’s opponents Kettering also find themselves in the bottom half of the standings despite possessing a squad that Marheineke rates highly.

He continued: “We’re in for a tough game against Kettering. Player for player, they have one of the strongest squads in the league, and they have a huge budget as well.

“It doesn’t look like things have really clicked yet for them, but if that does happen they will fly up the table.”

Saints then host lower-level Bedford Town in a League Challenge Cup, second round tie on Tuesday.