Rangers' Rob Stevenson joins Leek

Stafford Rangers attacker Rob Stevenson has dropped down a division to join Leek after failing to receive assurances about his future at Marston Road.

Stevenson was a notable absentee when the squad returned to pre-season training on Monday night having agreed a non-contract deal with the Blues.

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division One South side first came in for him last November but the 18-year-old rejected their seven-day approach.

This year, Stevenson had battled his way into the first-team reckoning, making his first start in February against Bradford Park Avenue.

But the former Stoke academy player has now left the club in search of a regular starting spot after talks with Rangers boss Greg Clowes.

Clowes said: "Rob told me that he wanted regular football and Leek can give him that, but I can't offer anybody regular football here.

"If your playing well, that will come, but I am not turning round and saying that anyone is an automatic choice.

"If he wants to drop down a division, that's up to him, but I felt he would get more starts here next season, as well."

Clowes had 29 players attend the start of pre-season training in a mixture of last season's squad, prospective signings and trialists.

Luke George, Kevin Street, Jon Sheldon, Alex Hedley, Michael Morton and goalkeepers Danny Read and Jordon Wood were present.

Of the rest of the 2011-12 playing personnel, Michael Carr, Ryan Dicker, Karl Espley and Peter Heler are still away on holiday.

Fringe players Joe Rogers, Sam Bell and Sean Jones have not returned and Clowes warns that the bar will be set higher next season.

He said: "I learned last season that if you turn around and say that anybody is a guaranteed choice, their standards could drop.

"I had to play people last season who were out-of-form, hoping that they would get through it, hence our inconsistencies.

"Names mean nothing to me, it's whether they are going to put on a black and white shirt and make a difference for us.

"We will putting pressure on players to perform now."