Brentford are looking to Callum Willock a £40,000 signing from Peterborough United to take over the scoring mantle from the departed DJ Campbell and keep them on course for promotion to the Championship.

Campbell, 24, gave cash-strapped Brentford a parting gift of two wonder goals in last Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup win over Sunderland, earning the Bees a fifth round glamour tie at Charlton Athletic on Saturday, February 18.

He then joined Premiership side Birmingham City for £500,000 possibly rising to £1million just before the transfer window closed on Tuesday, although £75,000 of the fee has gone to Yeading because of a sell-on clause.

Brentford's chances of pulling off another giant-killing are greatly reduced without deadly Dudley, who has gone from the Ryman League to the Premiership in six months after scoring 12 goals for Brentford in 18 starts.

Yet it could have been worse, because cult hero defender Sam Sodje rejected a move to Southampton.

Manager Martin Allen said: "The fee for Sodje was agreed, but Sam decided to stay with us, and to say I am happy is an understatement."

Allen, who had a potential replacement lined up, is now concentrating on developing another star in Willock.

The 24-year-old former QPR and Bristol Rovers loanee has a different style to Campbell he has DJ's pace but not his quick feet, though he is bigger and stronger.

Allen revealed: "Willock will go straight into our squad for Saturday's home league game against Walsall.

"He is big and direct, with a good goalscoring record."

That record includes 22 goals in 54 league starts for the Posh after turning a loan spell from Fulham into a permanent move in December 2003, but he has netted only twice this season.

Allen has agreed a two-year contract for utility man John Mousinho, who had been playing without pay, enabling him to extend Michael Dobson's loan at Reading until the end of the season.

* Full report in the Richmond & Twickenham Times Series.