Bully to run rule over stopper

Stafford manager Steve Bull will run the rule over a mystery goalkeeper in tonight's training session with a view to pitching him straight in at Gateshead on Saturday.

Rangers have been left depleted by an injury to No 1 Danny Alcock, who was replaced in the goalless draw with Kings Lynn in midweek with a dislocated elbow. He now faces around six weeks out.

Bully has already stated that he feels No 2 Danny Allen is too inexperienced to carry the burden on his own, so the search for a replacement began as soon as the severity of Alcock's injury was established.

The Stafford boss will look at an unattached goalkeeper tonight and, if he is good enough, he will be signed and pitched in for his Blue Square North bow at the weekend.

Bull said: "I will look at the player with the coaching staff tonight. If he is right for us, I will get him on board for Saturday. If he is not good enough, we will go to Gateshead with Danny Allen in goal.

"It is not the most ideal of situations, but that is what we are faced with, so we might as well get on with it."

Should Allen fill the void, Bull will look again at the goalkeeping situation after the match, although time will once more be against him, with a trip to Alfreton in the Setanta Shield on Tuesday and a home match with Blyth Spartans coming up on Saturday week.

The Rangers manager will probably look to the loan market and has identified the type of stopper he wants.

He said: "We need a goalkeeper from the Football League if possible, maybe someone who is second or third choice somewhere. I could ring Wolves if I wanted but I am probably looking closer to Stoke, Port Vale, Wrexham or something like that.

"It would have to be a two, maybe three month loan. Danny could be back in six weeks, but he will need time to rehabilitate himself and get back to full fitness. We should not rush him back."