Rangers seek Mike Douglas stop-gap

Stafford Rangers manager Greg Clowes today admitted he may to have to look outside of Marston Road to plug the gap left by Mike Douglas' departure.

Douglas has been forced to quit Rangers after a change in his work commitments and the search is now on to find his replacement.

Clowes is hoping to sign another holding midfielder but believes it will take time to find a player of the same ilk and, for now, will look for an alternative within the squad.

Dan Skelton could return for Saturday's visit of Chester after an ankle injury, while Kevin Street could also be back from a groin problem.

Another option is to push Luke George up from centre-back, but that depends on defender Ryan Dicker proving his fitness after ankle trouble.

But, in the long run, Clowes will be looking to find 'the new Mike Douglas.'

He said: "I can't replace players like Mike Douglas overnight, because those sort of people don't come along very often.

"I am possibly looking to get someone in because I don't think there's anybody in the squad that can act as a holding midfielder like he did.

"But there are options there, Dan Skelton will come into the equation and I am hoping Kevin Street will be fit on Saturday.

"Luke George can also play in there but he's too important for me at the back, at the moment."