TWO STARS of the Dagenham and Redbridge side which came so close to promotion glory are set leave, to play at a higher level.

Striker Ben Strevens and winger Sam Saunders were at the heart of the Daggers late push for a place out of League Two. That dream ended in painful final day defeat to Shrewsbury last month.

This week, League One Brentford joined the list of clubs to proclaim an interest in them.

Now, the pair have each told the Guardian that they could not and would not refuse the chance to play in League One.

Their days at Victoria Park look numbered.

29-year-old Strevens said: “I would be happy to play for Dagenham, but I’m 29 and this opportunity does not come along very often. I’m speaking to the gaffer and nothing’s been decided. It’s a bit hard for me at the moment because I’m out of contract.

“I thought after the Shrewsbury game it was a shame to end my spell there like that. It was a bitter, bitter disappointment. It was horrible. But things do not always work out the way you’d like.”

He praised his team-mates and boss John Still. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time at Dagenham. They are a great group of lads.”

25-year-old Sam Saunders told the Guardian why it would be madness for him to turn down the chance of a move, and asked for the understanding of the fans.

“These clubs offer me something that Dagenham cannot and that is football in a higher division” he explained. “I would be crazy to turn it down.”

“To be honest, it looks like it is over between Daggers and me.”

He too praised boss Daggers Still, who hauled him out of conference football so that he is now within touching distance of games against Leeds, Leyton Orient and Southampton.

He said: “John Still took me from the conference and I’ve enjoyed every single second with that club. I don’t have a bad word to say about anyone there.

“I hope the fans understand. I hope the gaffer understands. Players have said I have to do it for the sake of my career. That’s part of being a pro, you always want to improve. I’m at an age where I want to be proving myself.”

Boss Still has recently told this paper that he will not obstruct his players if they want too further their career elsewhere.