FAIRFIELD Villa FC managers Paul Oakes and Lee Shaw hope be re-united with striker Colin Tandy in a bid to strengthen their title chances in the Midland Combination Division One.

Villa have put in a seven day bid for Tandy, who is playing for Cradley Heath.

Oakes and Shaw worked closely with the highly rated striker at Northfield Town but could not attract him to Villa when they moved clubs in the summer.

Oakes said: "Colin is a quality player. I think he's fallen out of favour at Cradley so thought it was a good chance to bring him in.

"He's an extremely good player at this level and we'll need all the firepower we can muster if we are to have a chance of promotion this season."

Tandy may have signed for the club before its Presidents' Cup semi-final second leg clash against Polesworth North Warwick on Saturday, March 18.

However, he is wanted by Fairfield's management duo for a crucial period in April that will determine whether they win promotion to the Premier Division or not.

Villa, who trail leaders Knowle by four points but have three games in hand, have a crucial nine match period next month.

With such a make or break run of games approaching Oakes has been prompted into bolstering an already big squad.

Oakes has already added Matt Hudson and Tom Cromwell.

Martin Keight has also returned to Fairfield after a brief spell away from the club.

Striker Dean Merrick is set to make his debut against Leamington Hibernian tonight (Wednesday, 2.45pm kick off).

Merrick was signed from Northfield Town two weeks ago but has not been able to play because Villa have been involved in several cup matches.

Oakes said: "We have games in hand now and that means we've got a great chance of going up.

"The squad is in good shape and playing well. But we have to keep winning."