THE hunt for a defender is on at Bromsgrove Rovers after the departure of two towering centre-backs.

Manager Rod Brown is closing in on another defender to bolster his squad after Ross Collins and defensive kingpin Exodus Geohaghan left the club.

The Rovers boss admitted that he is close to bringing in another player and may have signed him before Saturday's friendly at home to Hednesford.

Brown said: "Unfortunately Ross and Exodus are no longer with us. It means I have to bring in a defender but I am talking to someone who would be a bit special if we got him."

Collins was set for a second spell at Rovers after re-joining the club from Telford in the summer, but felt that he could not dedicate as much time as he liked to the club because of work and college commitments.

The Rovers manager said: "Ross has to go to college twice a week because of work and didn't feel that he was able to train properly. I really respect the decision he made because he did it for the club.

"He had been thinking about it for a few weeks and did tell me a bit late but I wish him the best."

The situation is different with towering defender Geoghagan, who was not offered a new contract at the end of last season.

The big defender, who was a popular player with the fans, is thought to have desired a move to a club playing at a higher level of football.

Brown said: "Exodus has made no secret of a desire to play at a higher level. When his contract came to an end I decided not to offer him a new one.

"I know his agent has been talking to other clubs but I don't know if he's had any success. If he wanted to come back it would be on my terms."

Even with a space for a defender Rovers' manager is confident that the squad is better prepared for promotion than last season.

"The squad is much better than last year, I have no doubts about that. We've brought some really good players in", said Brown.

"We'll be a stronger team next season and a more together squad. Training is going very well and the spirit is already stronger."

Expectations are even higher than last season for the Greens to win promotion from the Southern League Midlands Division.

To match high expectations season tickets sales are up on this point last season. The club has sold nearly 80 season tickets so far, which is a 25 per-cent increase on the average sales at this in time pre-season.

"The sales are up because there is a genuine buzz and feeling that good things are happening at the club. There's a lot going on behind the scenes and on the pitch and I think fans can expect a good season", added Brown.

l New signings Nathan Lamey, Stuart Skidmore, Richard Burgess and several other new players are set to make their debut for Rovers against Hednesford on Saturday (3pm kick off).

Striker Neil Davis is the only absence because he is on holiday.

by Peter McKinney