Rovers move for duo

9:15am Wednesday 6th February 2008

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BROMSGROVE Rovers are poised to swoop for Halesowen Town's Nick Amos, but will have to wait until the end of the season if they are to lure former Birmingham City ace Paul Devlin to the Victoria Ground.

Caretaker boss Duane Darby confirmed he has spoken to utility player Amos about a possible move, and the Greens have made a seven-day approach for the player.

The Yeltz were set to waive the seven-day notice period, but manager Morell Maison has been hit by a series of injuries and wants to retain Amos' services until next week.

Devlin, another of Darby's former Halesowen team-mates, has decided to take a break from football despite reported interest from a host of clubs including Rovers, Rushall Olympic and Willenhall Town.

The ex-Blues forward left the Grove in January for a brief spell as a player-coach at Rugby Town, but is currently without a club.

However, if Darby remains in the Rovers hotseat beyond the end of this season, he would still like to sign Devlin.

He said: "I have spoken to Nick (Amos), and he is happy with things on this side.

"They have got a couple of injuries and now we have got to put seven days in for him, whereas before we weren't going to have to.

"I have tried to get Devs (Devlin), and I spoke to him as soon as he left Rugby. He isn't going to play again this season.

"It is a shame as he could have done a good job and help kick things forward for us."

Meanwhile, the club must decide whether to make a complaint against referee Marvin Amphlett after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Mangotsfield.

The game ended in controversy when Amphlett blew the full-time whistle just as a chance fell to Richard Ball to score an injury-time winner for Rovers.

The official later apologised for his mistake, but that was little consolation to Darby.

"I have got to speak to the club about that situation," he said.

"He apologised to the chairman and to some of the players.

"He made a mistake, but it doesn't bring the points back."

On the injury front, the Greens are hoping to welcome back influential winger Matt Birley this Saturday's home clash with Corby Town.

Birley missed the Mangotsfield game through illness.

Rovers will be defending a nine-match unbeaten league run, which has propelled them away from the British Gas Business Premier Division drop zone.

Darby is demanding an improvement in his side's home form.

"We need to start picking up results at home," he said.

"Draws away from home are ok, but at home we need to start winning games.

"They (Corby) have changed their manager and have got a couple of results.

"But it is not about them, it is about how we play."