Depleted Rangers struggle to add
Stafford manager Chris Brindley admits he has little room for movement in the transfer market in January to boost his threadbare squad.
Rangers may have a squad of around 18 players but they are still down to the bare bones, with the added danger that members of the current playing staff could still leave as the month wares on.
Non-contract players Darryl Proffitt, Mark Magee, Ishamel Reid and goalkeeper Tim Sandercombe could leave at any time, while loan duo Christian Miller and Dean Craven will see their terms expire later this month.
In fact, any of the squad could be moved on, so Brindley will just have to replace holes in his team as the need arises.
Not ideal for building a settled side, but the Rangers boss has little choice.
He said: "I will not be able to add anybody to the squad, certainly this week. Hopefully that will change as the month wares on but I don't envisage many additions to the squad.
"We still have to be very careful with the financial situation at the moment, so there will not be too many changes. We have to mindful of what the club can sustain.
"There will be movement, but I cannot just bring in a bunch of players."
Despite the difficult working circumstances at Marston Road, Brindley is reasonably pleased with the squad he has to work with at present.
The little movement he has had to bring in players has saw players such as Steve Brennan and Reid brought in - as well as the double loan capture - with Craven the match winner in the shock defeat of Telford of New Years Day.
Nick Wellecomme's return to the club after serving his prison sentence is another boost, although he has yet to reach peak match fitness.
More will be needed, of course it will, but Brindley feels that after the chaos of the past month the club can start to feel that bit more positive.
He said: "I am fairly happy with what I have at the moment. I have a squad of players who are giving their all for the cause. We could use more, but we need to be financially able to do that.
"The squad should be fairly settled now. The current squad have had a couple of weeks together, so the understanding is starting to come between them.
"I need time with what I have got, so I can build a settled team that understand and will give their all for each other."
