ROD Brown's pursuit of Gresley striker Gary Smith looks to have ended in disappointment despite the former St Kitts and Nevis international making positive noises about a move last week.

The Redditch manager arranged to call the former Worcester and Halesowen Town striker after Gresley's match last Tuesday but was left in limbo after a brief conversation and has been unable to contact the forward since.

The United manager, whose side can gatecrash the top five at the weekend, swiftly turned his attentions back to two longer-term targets.

Brown is monitoring the progress of Halesowen Town's former Wolves goal-getter Richard Leadbeater and Tamworth hitman Mark Hallam.

But he has been frustrated with both fringe players hitting form and earning recalls at their respective clubs.

There was disappointment for youngster Nicky Clark who was on trial at Third Division Scunthorpe United last week.

The former Wolves trainee impressed but Iron manager Brian Laws decided the young full back was too small.

Winger Matty Hall (fractured cheek) and midfielder Richard Softley (dead leg) are set to be the only absentees as United bid to cause a Birmingham Senior Cup shock at Nigel Clough's Conference newcomers Burton Albion tonight (Wednesday, ko 7.30pm).

Softley is expected to return for Saturday's trip to Clevedon (ko 3pm) where a win could see Redditch hit the top six Brown stated was their target this season.