DAVE Busst has used his own contacts to strengthen Evesham United's squad ahead of a crucial period of matches starting with Gloucester City next Tuesday night, writes Mervyn Collins.

The Common Road manager is set to sign former Coventry City, Derby County and Sout-hampton utility man Paul Williams who has been plying his trade in America with the Richmond Kickers.

The 34-year-old former England Under-21 international is, subject to international clearance being obtained, pencilled in for a debut against fellow Southern League Premier Division strugglers.

However, Lee Knight, who Busst recalled to the club earlier this week, is away on business but should be in the reckoning for a place at home to Bedford Town on October 22.

Williams made 160 appearances in a Derby County shirt before moving to Highfield Road for £750,000 in 1995 where he played 189 matches.

He then followed manager Gordon Strachan to Southampton in 2001 where he played 40 times in the Premiership before joining Stoke City a couple of seasons ago.

Next Tuesday's match against Gloucester is the first of three at Common Road against sides below the Robins in the current top flight table.

Yate Town are the visitors on October 29 and basement side Northwood will make the trip north three weeks later.

"There has to be some activity both ways from a financial point of view if we are to bring in some new faces," said assistant boss Paul West.

However, he said that no one would be leaving in the immediate future with Steve Duncan and Neil O'Sullivan set to sit out the last of three-game bans next week and Grant Pinkney, sent off in the 2-1 defeat at Kings Lynn last weekend, likely to miss the games against Solihull, Bedford and Team Bath.

Stuart Hamilton has a nagging thigh strain that looks likely to see him miss the Gloucester game but Steven Hands is on stand-by after a recent stint at Studley.

Premier Division (bottom)

Tiverton Tn 9 3 0 6 13 15 9

Hitchin Tn 10 2 3 5 12 20 9

Evesham Utd 10 2 2 6 9 15 8

Yate Tn 10 2 1 7 7 23 7

Rugby Tn 9 1 3 5 15 23 6

Gloucester City 10 1 2 7 12 20 5

Northwood 9 1 1 7 11 22 4