Rangers a work in progress for boss

Pre-season is firmly underway at Marston Road with three friendlies already played, although all three have ended in defeat.

But the manager has used the schedule to tweak his squad and look at a number of trialists in the hope he can unearth a gem or two, with financial resources stretched at the cash-strapped club.

None of the youngsters blooded will be any worse for the experience of competitive, first-team football but - as he has stated before - Brindley needs one or two them to grow up fast.

He said: "We are still building and getting better as the weeks go on. We have to start again really, there has been a lot of upheaval on the playing front and it was never going to be easy.

"There is just under three weeks to go before the season starts and we are getting there. We have got a hardcore of about eight or nine players that are nailed on to start, now we need to add to that however we can.

"I will have to wait and see with the trialists, there is very little money here and we can't afford to waste a penny."

Saturday's 2-1 reverse at Hednesford in the Cannock Chase Charity trophy leaves Rangers tight for the second leg, at Marston Road on August 1.

Brindley said: "It's disappointing to lose any game, but it's not about that at this stage of pre-season."

The Rangers boss will also be sending a strong side to Springbank when the team take on Stone Old Alleynians tomorrow night (7:45pm).