Rangers sell McAughtrie

Stafford Rangers stalwart Craig McAughtrie has been sold to neighbours Tamworth as manager Phil Robinson starts a ruthless makeover.

The Marston Road club accepted an undisclosed offer from the Lambs, who were relegated from the Conference last season.

McAughtrie, together with Wayne Daniel, has been the backbone of Rangers defence throughout Robinson's five year tenure at Rangers and is a former Player of the Season.

But Robinson, whose side will be looking for their first win of the season at home to Grays tomorrow, backed up his decision to part with the player.

"We're working hard to get some players out, which we need to before we can get some players in, because of the tightness of the budget," he said. "We need to strengthen in other areas and Djimi Sangare has come into the middle of defence and done very well.

"Craig was disappointed, but philopsophical. He has been a great servant to the club over the last five years. We just felt the time was right for him to move on, for a fresh challenge and to free up some money."

Also out of Marston Road is on-loan midfielder Matt Hazley, who has been sent back to Stoke following his red-card shame at Stevenage on Monday.

The 19 year old Northern Ireland youth international's loan was due to end after tomorrow's clash with Grays, but he is suspended for three games anyway.

"We need to try to freshen things up and bring in some new faces, but there is a lot of competition for quality players and I haven't been able to conclude any deals at the moment," said Robinson.

Already ravaged by injuries, Rangers are closely monitoring striker David McNiven, who is nursing a badly bruised foot from the Halifax game. Midfielder Kevin Street, meanwhile, is still fighting his personal fitness battle to be able to complete 90 minutes for the first time this season. To end their winless streak, Rangers will have to crack one of the toughest defences in the Blue Square Premier.

Under former Spurs star Justin Edinburgh, Grays have a reputation for giving nothing away.

Rangers (from): Alcock, Duggan, Sutton, Sangare, Daniel, Murray, Stones, Flynn, Street, Arnolin, Draper, McNiven, Grayson, Adaggio, Manak, Hopkinson, Oldfield.