Stafford Rangers manager Chris Brindley is near to completing the signings of full-back Richard Vauls and wide man Luke Morgan.

But the search for a central defender goes on.

The young duo are set to sign for the season in time to play against Hednesford on Saturday, after successful trial periods at Marston Road.

Left-back Vauls was a free agent after leaving Stoke at the end of last season, while right-winger Morgan has spent the last nine months at the Glenn Hoddle academy in Spain after his release from Bradford.

Now they will bolster the Rangers squad for the season ahead – but Brindley faces a race against time to land the commanding defender he has been looking in time for the season start.

Rangers currently have Ashley Page – another former Stoke youngster – filling the breach, with Nick Amos and Bobby Wilson able to be called upon when needed.

When the pre-season schedule is done and dusted this weekend, the manager has a week to plug his last hole before the season opener on Saturday week.

Brindley said: “We are still a centre-half short really, I am still trying on that front and I am hopeful I can get somebody in by the time we go to Hyde.

“Ashley Page is a young lad who has got a lot of promise, but whether he is ready to play week and week out remains to be seen. He is one for the future really.

“We are hopeful that we can have Richard and Luke signed up for the season, by the time we welcome Hednesford on Saturday.

“With them on board, we more or less have our starting line-up.”