Hinckley United boss Dean Thomas is hoping to bring in a new central defender and an American goalkeeper from Leicester City to help pull the Knitters away from the Blue Square Bet North relegation zone.

United face a six-pointer tomorrow, weather permitting, at Vauxhall Motors, who are one place and one point ahead of them at the wrong end of the table.

"I am looking to bring in a new keeper called Patrick Lane," said Thomas. "He is 23, at Leicester City, and was brought over from the American MLS when Sven-Goran Eriksson was at the club.

"I have spoken to Steve Beaglehole (City coach) and he is keen for him to get some game time.

"Our keeper, Denham Hinds, has had a bad knee for a few weeks now so we will get that sorted.

"I am also hoping to bring in Haydn Hollis from Notts County. He is a big central defender and, at 6ft 4in, he has a good presence and is good in the air."

Despite adding strength to his defensive line, Thomas is hoping for a marked improvement from his attacking players. Several chances went begging in the club's last two games against Harrogate and Quorn before the winter weather fixtures with Boston and Solihull Moors called off.

"I bore myself talking about missed chances this season," said Thomas. "But at least we are creating them and strikers have good spells and bad ones.

"We work a lot on crossing and finishing and all we can do is keep encouraging them and working hard ahead of Saturday.

"Tomorrow's game is massive for us and we have to be winning these games against sides around us in the league.

"It will be a big psychological boost for us if we can get out of the bottom three and taking points off those around us will do us no harm."

Paul Lister (dead leg) and Tom Byrne (knee) will have late fitness tests before Thomas names his starting XI.

If both Hinckley and neighbours Nuneaton have their scheduled league fixtures postponed tomorrow, they will play a friendly on the 3G pitch at the Greene King Stadium (1.30).

Knitters' fans should check the club's independent website from 9.30am tomorrow for further details. Go to:

www.hinckleyunitedfc.co.uk

Oadby Town's FA Vase fifth-round tie at Staveley Miners' Welfare tomorrow looks odds-on to be off.

Staveley secretary Ele Reaney said: "I would say it is 99 per cent off. If it is a no go it will be played on Wednesday, with any replay on Saturday."