New duo ready for Rangers
Stafford will have new signings Jimmy Phillips and Tim Sandercombe available when they welcome Blyth Spartans to Marston Road tomorrow (3pm).
Stafford will have new signings Jimmy Phillips and Tim Sandercombe available when they welcome Blyth Spartans to Marston Road tomorrow (3pm).
Phillips, 18, has signed on a month's loan from Premier League side Stoke City, joining fellow Potters loanee Tom Thorley at Rangers.
A tricky winger, who can be used on either flank, he is most likely to replace Dave McPherson in the left wing-back role. It could be an all Stoke connection on the flanks, with Thorley likely to be deployed in the right wing-back position.
Assistant manager Chris Brindley said: "If Jimmy has a similar impact as Tom then we will be well pleased. They are both highly thought of at Stoke and that is why there are here - to further their education in a man's league.
"Jimmy is here for a month but the same applies as it did to Tom: If he impresses, his loan will be extended for however long is suitable for both parties."
Goalkeeper Sandercombe, 19, will be pitched straight in for his Rangers bow in the Blue Square North clash - at the third time of asking.
The former Plymouth trainee has already seen prospective debuts at Gateshead and Alfreton fall foul of the weather since he signed non-contract forms last Thursday.
With Stafford without No 1 Danny Alcock for the best part of six weeks with a dislocated elbow, he will now get his chance.
A free agent after his release from Notts County in the summer, the near 6ft 6in stopper could become a real asset. Brindley is hoping that in Sandercombe the immediate future of the goalkeeping position is in good hands.
He said: "Danny is a bad loss and something we could have done without. Lets hope we can cope without him.
"It is all on Tim now. He has this opportunity to show what he can do and we all hope he takes it.
"Manager Steve Bull is in agreement. If he does well and looks good, we wil sit down with him and try to get something more permanent worked out."
Rangers have also released the rearranged dates for the Alfreton and Gateshead fixtures.
The Setanta Shield tie at Alfreton will now be played this coming Tuesday (7:45pm). The long trip to Gateshead in league action will now take place on September 24 (7:45pm).
