NEWLY promoted Torquay United are reported to be set to make a transfer swoop for Kettering Town's commanding central defender Guy Branston.

The 30-year-old Leicester-born defender was an impressive performer for Mark Cooper's Poppies in the Blue Square Premier and the FA Cup last season.

Kettering chairman Imraan Ladak revealed United's interest in Branston, who began his career at his home-town club as a trainee in 1997 before transferring to Rotherham United in 1999 for £50,000.

Both Ladak and the Poppies' manager, Cooper, have confirmed that Kettering are in talks with Torquay over a move for Branston. United manager Paul Buckle has maintained his policy of not discussing transfer speculation.

The 6ft 1in central defender has played 325 games in a 12-year senior career in the Football League and the Conference and still has a year of his current contract at Kettering to run.

Buckle and Branston – then on loan from Leicester – played in the same Colchester United team in 1998. Branston subsequently spent a seven-match loan spell at Plymouth Argyle in 1998-99. The central defender's other clubs include Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham Athletic, Peterborough United and Notts County, from whom he joined Kettering in February 2008.

Last season, Branston skippered the meanest defence in the BSP — Kettering conceded just 37 goals in their 46 league games.

If Branston does join Torquay, he would become Paul Buckle's second summer signing after the Gulls' manager swooped to snap up 19-year-old former Swindon Town and Plymouth striker Ben Joyce, following his two-goal bow in United's opening 4-0 pre-season friendly win at Buckland Athletic.

Swindon coach David Byrne was responsible for Joyce joining the Wiltshire club, after he left Argyle. Byrne has revealed that the striker was also wanted by Yeovil Town.

Joyce was on trial with the Glovers at the start of last week, before he linked up with the Gulls. Byrne said: "Ben did very well at Yeovil, and it's their fault that they missed out on him. He's got a lot of talent, and, if Torquay nurture him correctly, they'll get good money for him eventually. He's come on unbelievably well, and I'm sure he'll make a good living out of the game."