TIM Langford will shrug off midfielder Matt Southwick's exit from Stourport Swifts with a swoop for a new striker.

Southwick has joined friends Lea Shaw, Lee Booth and Brendan Hackett in the growing ranks of ex-Swifts at Redditch United under former boss Rod Brown.

But the departure gives Swifts, who maintained a top five Dr Martens League Western Division push with Tuesday's fine 2-0 win over Solihull, room to boost their strike-force.

Boss Langford wasted little time today by firing in a seven-day approach for a front-man at the same level to try and add competition for Kerry Giddings, Andy Wright and himself.

Swifts, whose game with Weston-super-Mare was postponed on Saturday, have now lost just once in seven games.

But Langford was sad to see Southwick go, admitting: "I've got nothing but praise for him and have told him I would have him back here gladly.

"Over the last two or three months, you can see a real improvement in him. I've told him that I think he's made the wrong decision.

"But we've got a good quantity of midfielders and I was not able to bring a player in until I'd offloaded one."

Swifts may need to rest a few players for Saturday's game with struggling Rocester at home.

Tim Nicholls (groin), Alex Cowley (calf) and Adam Nicholls (illness) could all be doubts, meaning a possible first start for midfielder Matt Beard.

Langford, who will warn his players against complacency after last week's Redditch defeat, declared: "It's great to be back on a winning track and it gives us a lot of confidence.

"I don't like changing a winning team but we may need this opportunity to rest a few players.

"I will decide after training but I do need to look at the other players to see what we want to do for next season.

"Next year as long as we keep the squad together than I believe we can finish at least around fifth if not higher."

Langford also wants to give young defender Sean Wright the chance to prove himself before the end of the season.

But he added: "It's a case of picking the right games and Rocester is difficult because they are battling for points and are a big side.

"The conditions may be in their favour with it being a bit boggy."