GEORGE Rooney is close to making a triple swoop for players from an unnamed Dr Martens League Premier Division club.

The Bromsgrove Rovers boss has been tracking the trio -- a striker, defender and midfielder -- for a number of weeks, and finally looks like securing their services by the end of the week.

Rooney said: "I've been keeping tabs on them for a while and checking on their availability. They're squad players at their present club and I'm waiting for the club to find replacements before they release them.

"I'm looking to improve the physical strength and quality of the team because we're still looking a bit boyish. I need some soldiers out on the pitch but they're few and far between."

The men against boys cliche was all too evident in Saturday's 4-0 slump to Rugby United where Rovers were totally overrun in the second half.

"We were found wanting," Rooney said. "I felt sorry for the boys because they were just brushed aside by bigger blokes. Overall I've no complaints, we were just a bit too small on the day."

Rooney brought two new men into the squad for the Rugby defeat.

They were Birmingham University students Daniel Nielson and Matt Owen, who both made useful second half substitute appearances. A third university lad, striker Ryan Gunn, was on the bench during the Blakenall defeat.

Meanwhile, Rovers will finally play the second leg of last season's delayed Worcester Royal Infirmary Senior Cup Final against Stourport Swifts next Tuesday at the Victoria Ground. Rovers trail 3-2 from the first leg while they have received a bye into the second round of this season's competition.