BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown is confident he has the players to challenge in the Southern League Premier Division.

Rovers returned to the third tier of non-league football for the first time since the pyramid restructure by beating Willenhall in the Midlands play-off final last month.

Brown has managed to keep the bulk of the squad together but has added some new faces ahead of the new campaign.

Midfielder David Bridgwater and striker Gary Hay, registered with Moor Green and Kidderminster respectively last season, have signed permanently, while 'keeper Danny Crane has agreed to stay.

Defender Lucan Spittle has joined from Willenhall along with former Solihull left-sided player Jamie Petty as Brown looks to play with four at the back next season.

The Victoria Ground boss has also signed midfielder Sam Alsop and full-back Chris Cotterill from Redditch United and has set a deadline of this week to secure a deal for Jermaine Clarke.

Clarke, who netted the winner in the play-off final, was also on loan from the Reds last season but is still tied to a deal at the Valley Stadium.

Midfielder Wayne Dyer has also agreed non-contract terms with Rovers.

Brown, who has released Danny Scheppell and 'keeper Danny Woodhall, said: "I wanted a bit more on the budget but I have tried to get value for money with what I have got.

"I think we had a lot of players that would have coped in the Premier anyway because it's more of a footballing league. I have got a good enough squad to go into it."