BUSY Bromsgrove Sporting boss Paul Smith has wasted little time in boosting his squad this week by bringing in long serving Stourbridge midfield man Drew Canavan.

Smith has been quick to act after losing Liam Spink for the rest of the season following a horrific leg injury last week while playing against Nuneaton Town.

The Sporting boss has fired out a number of seven day notices over the past week and quickly landed the 28-year-old Canavan who has made over 400 appearances for the Glassboys.

Smith said: "Stourbridge boss Gary Hackett was gutted to lose Drew - but he cannot commit to playing for Stourbridge anymore owing to his job as a coach with Aston Villa.

"Drew has to work some Saturday mornings and doesn't finish during the week until 5pm, which means he struggles to make away trips.

"As a result, Drew has played a few games for Stourport Swifts to try and keep himself match-fit but unfortunately has gone and got himself cup-tied for the FA Vase in the process.

"But he will definitely be in the squad for Saturday's Midland League game with Coventry Sphinx.

"Drew is an attacking midfield player who opens up a number of options for us".

Smith also hopes to have two more new faces on board by the weekend, but missed out on his attempts to entice Worcester City's Brad Birch to join the Rouslers.

Sporting have been drawn away to Wisbech Town on January 6 in the next stage of the Buildbase FA Vase, provided they can beat Coventry United in a replay which was due to take place on Wednesday night at the Butts Arena.

Smith bemoaned the fact the replay should have to take place at all following Saturday's 1-1 draw and insisted: "If we'd won by five or six goals, then Coventry couldn't have complained, we missed that many chances. It shouldn't have even gone to a replay."

Sporting must have known their luck was out when Sam Wills fired high and wide from the penalty spot with just two minutes of extra time remaining and Smith quipped: "It was that far wide, I think the ball's still going now."

The tie attracted a crowd of 834 but Smith admitted: "I don't think the game was promoted as well as it could have been.

"Because of the success we had in the competition last season we drew in crowds of over 3,000 for some of the later games.

"I think we were a bit complacent on this occasion and just expected people to turn up. Hopefully that won't happen again if we can continue to progress in the competition."

Sporting are set to entertain Coventry Spinx on Saturday but Smith added: "I haven't been able to give that game much through at the moment. It's one game at a time."