Rangers' blow ahead of cup game

Stafford Rangers have suffered a blow in their bid to keep Dean Bennett with the midfielder not expected to play in the game at Hednesford.

Bennett turned out for Rangers in last week's 1-0 win over the Pitmen in the first leg of the pre-season Cannock Chase trophy, but now seems unlikely to be in the team for the return game at Keys Park.

The 32-year-old, a free agent after his release from Kidderminster Harriers in the summer, was offered the chance to train with the squad last night and play tomorrow, but has instead joined up with local rivals AFC Telford.

Bucks assistant boss Darren Read, No 2 to Brindley at Marston Road until this summer, took training and invited Bennett along, with a game themselves to prepare for at home to FC United of Manchester this weekend.

It's not cut and dried that the experienced midfielder will join them and Rangers have left the door open for him to return, but for the time being will press on without him.

In the meantime Brindley has a game to prepare for also minus Andre Francis, who misses tomorrow and Tuesday's friendly at Rocester through work commitments, but is hoping to have "one new face" in the team.

He said: "We have the nucleus of a squad here but not as much strength in depth as I would like.

"It's just about playing well at the minute, it was nice to win last week but there are no easy games, even in pre-season. Hednesford are a good side, so there's not a lot to choose between us.

"We would like to get our hands on the cup, if we don't it's not the be all and end all, but that is what we are aiming to do."

Brindley will have one of the shortest journeys ever home from an away game, as he is the publican at the Cross Keys across the road from Keys Park.

He added: "I won't be putting much of an expense bill in, not that it would get paid anyway!"