WHEELER-dealer Mark Yates was a busy man on Nationwide Conference transfer deadline day, snapping up two players in time for tomorrow's local derby at Hereford United.

The ex-Cheltenham Town man managed to bring in Bury striker Jon Newby on a month-long loan deal as well as former Peterborough defender Simon Rea, also on a temporary basis.

Newby, who was at Liverpool as a trainee, has scored five times in 21 appearances for the Shakers this season.

Yates is hoping he will provide Harriers with a cutting edge in front of goal that has been so evidently missing in recent weeks.

He said: "Jon is a young player who's very, very talented. He's just coming back from an injury and the Bury manager Chris Casper has been good enough to let us take him on.

"He's got bags of pace, he holds the ball up well and he knows where the back of the net is. Hopefully, he'll do well for us."

Tough-tackling Rea began his career with Birmingham City but left St Andrews for Peterborough in 1999, having made just one first-team appearance.

He was released by Peterborough after nearly 200 appearances at the end of last season and joined Nationwide North high-fliers Nuneaton Borough.

Yates added: "Simon is a player I've played against many times and he is a good, experienced, solid defender who I know will do a good job for us.

"His season at Nuneaton has been hampered by injury, but I am confident he'll come in and add something to our squad. He'll be a useful addition."

Against Hereford, on-loan defender Jonny Mullins is likely to move to right-back with Rea or Gavin Hurren coming in at centre-half.

Yates shuffles his defence to cover for the absence of Junior Osborne, who has returned to Watford.

He added: "I'm happy with the players that I've been able to bring in.

"We have got cover for most positions in the squad now.

"Wayne Graves is still out injured and Jake Sedgemore is 50-50 at the moment, but we are hopeful he will be fit enough to play."