Race is on for Rangers season opener

The race is on for Stafford Rangers to add the final parts of the jigsaw puzzle before Saturday's Blue Square North season opener at Boston United.

A pressing need for a centre-half was still up in the air today, with captain Craig McAughtrie suspended for the first two games of the campaign and Jermaine Johnson out with a hamstring injury.

Mark Dudley was tried out in the position and impressed in last Saturday's pre-season friendly against Nantwich, but needs a partner at the back.

Rangers are stepping up their efforts to bring in a defender on loan ahead of the game, with as many as four options under discussion by management.

This includes Kidderminster Harriers defender Gavin Caines, who has played in their last two friendlies with the permission of his club.

The rest of the squad are fit and raring to go for Saturday's game at York Street, with assistant boss Steve Wynn pleased with the mood in the camp ahead of the new season.

He said: "We are looking strong, there are 17 players going to Boston and there are still things we are working on outside of that as well.

"Obviously we have a problem in central defence, we are working hard to address that and we have options in that area to sort out ahead of Saturday.

"But the lads have had a good training session on our pitch this week and had their team picture done as well, there's a real team feeling about the place and the mood is very positive.

"They are a smiling bunch, it's likely to be a big crowd on Saturday and we are all looking forward to being a part of the game.

"None of us can wait for the season to get started."