NEW Bromsgrove Rovers boss Rod Brown has wasted little time in bolstering his squad, with four transfer targets lined up before Saturday’s league clash with Sutton Coldfield Town.
Brown, who made a surprise return to the club on Friday just 10 months after being axed, is hoping to tie up deals for former Victoria Ground favourites, winger Kevin Banner and Worcester City defender Rapinder Gill.
Redditch United midfielder Chris Dickinson is another target, while Brown also wants to bring in Hednesford striker Reece Styche on loan.
As Brown prepared to take his first training session last night since returning as manager, he admitted the club’s dressing room needs freshening up.
He said: “I want to try and create a bit of interest and competition in certain areas.
“There are certain issues that need sorting out. The discipline has gone a little bit and I think I can bring that back.”
Although he was present to see Rovers draw 1-1 at Barton Rovers on Saturday, Brown officially took over on Monday.
His first act was to make an approach for Banner, who he took to former club Rugby Town in the summer, while goalkeeping coach Lee Phillips and physio Malcolm Cowell are also expected to move to Rovers.
Talks were due to take place last night with the rest of the current backroom staff.
Interviewed It is understood the club interviewed ex-Scotland international Paul Devlin and former Greens favourite Martin O’Connor to replace Duane Darby in the manager’s hotseat, while Evesham United’s Paul West was also sounded out.
However, last Thursday they approached Rugby for permission to speak to Brown, who guided them to promotion to the BGB Premier Division in the 2006/07 season.
While revealing he was surprised to be offered his old job back, Brown admitted the decision to return was not a difficult one.
He said: “The reality is my heart has always been at Rovers.
“I was a bit surprised when Tom (Herbert, chairman) approached me.
“But the relationship I had with Tom before I left was a good one.
“I am not a vindictive person and I do not bear grudges.
“I met Tom three or four months ago and he said to me “I think I have made a mistake”, and I think it took a lot for him to say that.”
Herbert himself admitted last week he was hasty in dismissing Brown.
He said: “It was a hasty decision considering the amount of games we had left.
“But I’m delighted that he has come back.
“There has never been any ill-feeling between myself and Rod Brown.”
As well as being Herbert’s choice for the job, Brown came out on top in our online poll, receiving 45 per cent of the votes.
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