NEWLY-installed Reds boss Rod Brown hopes to have United old boy Lee Knight back in the fold for the visit of league leaders Chippenham on Saturday.

Defender Knight defected for Dr Martens Western rivals Halesowen Town in the summer but has had his chances limited after picking up a shoulder injury early in the season.

And former Stourport manager Brown, appointed to the Reds hotseat on Thursday, was hoping to complete Knight's transfer back to the Valley today making him available for the weekend's crunch clash (ko 3pm).

The new manager wasted no time in bringing in former Sheffield United and Cheltenham Town keeper Martin Lakin for his debut in Saturday's rollercoaster 3-2 loss at Shepshed and is expecting another busy week in the transfer market.

Moves to take Kidderminster Harriers midfielder Daire Doyle and striker Stuart Hadley on a month's loan have fallen through with the duo unwilling to drop down three divisions.

And a seven day approach to bring Stourport player-coach Brendan Hackett to United, along with Brown and assistant Gary Whild, has been held up because Hackett has been shortlisted for the vacant Swifts post.

Brown has had talks with Bromsgrove Rovers striker Michael Moore after a seven day approach from previous manager Nicky Cross but is still searching for a partner for Paul Danks after speaking to Ian Painter at Stafford, Graham Allner at Kidderminster and Graham Turner at FA Cup heroes Hereford United.

The Scot is also planning to bolster his back line with an as yet unnamed target.

After switching from a Stourport side sitting seventh, Brown said Redditch had a rightful place in the Premier Division.

But the Scot, who took Swifts from the West Midlands Premier to the Dr Martens Western in a four year stint said there was a lot of hard work to be done and promised the fans more for their money.

"The fitness levels leave a lot to be desired," said the new man after taking charge of his first game at the weekend.

"We have a blank Saturday coming up and I intend to do some hill work with the squad because they are short of pre-season work.

"I felt there was a lot of endeavour on Saturday and was told it was the best attitude they had shown for quite a few games.

"But the lack of organisation and communication was embarassing, they worked hard but their confidence drained when Shepshed equalised and you knew there was another one coming.

"They have experienced players there who don't have any influence on the game.

"But if they work as hard as that once we've got ourselves organised and got one or two more players we won't have a problem."

Brown singled out two-goal Scott Colcombe for praise along with forward Michael Campbell, asked to plough a lonely furrow up front with Paul Danks ruled out by flu.