FORMER West Brom defender Des Lyttle has emerged as one of the experienced heads Stourport Swifts are pursuing.

Swifts picked up an impressive 1-1 draw at Rugby on Tuesday, thanks to young Steve Hawkes' late equaliser.

It led boss Dave Titterton to call for his players to prove they can be a top-eight Dr Martens Western Division side.

But Titterton realises he needs more elder campaigners in his young promising squad and Lyttle, 32, is one such possibility.

The ex-Worcester and Nottingham Forest player was released by West Brom at the end of the season.

Titterton said: "I have spoken to Des, whose priority is to get back into the Football League, and he has a trial with Chesterfield next week.

"But he wants to play competitive football at a decent level to put himself in the shop window. I'm also trying to get a central midfielder.

"You're not going to get the level of performance out of kids week in week out so that's why we need the blend of experience around them.

"We had seven players aged under 21 at Rugby. The team produced a great response, which was what I was looking for."

Swifts are short of defensive options with key centre-back John Newall requiring a knee cartilage operation.

Titterton admitted: "It's no coincidence that we've started conceding goals since he's been out of the team. He's got to have been one of my best signings."

Dave Davies (ankle) might be back for Saturday's home game with Bedworth which will mark the return of Anthony Robinson.

He left Swifts for disciplinary reasons this season but has bagged four goals for his new club.

Titterton added: "You cannot knock Anthony's ability but he didn't fit in with the rest of the team and the lads."

Keeper Ryan Price, 23, has been signed from Rushall to provide competition for Lee Evans, while former Worcester youngster Ben Humber is on trial.

Four-goal forward Richard Ball has turned down a seven-day approach from rivals Solihull.

Swifts head to high-flying Ilkeston for a league clash on Tuesday (7.45pm).