Miller and Ryan return to Daniels, Putman and Grouse depart

Daniels boss Graham Drury is adding a more physical presence to his promotion-chasing side.

Centre-half Kern Miller and striker Grant Ryan both made their Daniels debuts in Saturday's 3-2 home Evo-Stik League Division One East success over Brighouse.

And, following Eliot Putman's departure to higher level Barwell, Drury is expected to bolster his playing ranks further this week.

He said: "Everyone we have played so far has been big, strong, direct and physical playing off the second phase.

"It's not something I wanted to do, but sometimes you have to match it.

"Grant and Kern both made a difference to us steel-wise on Saturday.

"Grant's come in and given us a bit of life up top and Kern's given us some leadership.

"I just felt we needed to go a bit bigger and uglier.

"We've done that with Grant and Kern and I'm looking to bring another one in this week.

"I've got seven days in for four players to strengthen the squad and hopefully we can do that."

Putman's decision to move to Southern League Premier Division side Barwell means all of last season's rock solid back four have now departed the Daniels.

Drury commented: "Putts has moved on to a higher level and fair play to him.

"He's entitled to do that in my eyes. Lads want to play as high as they can and he's been given that opportunity and a good deal which he can't turn down.

"I've got no hard feelings. I hoped he would have let us win a couple of games and then perhaps say that he's got an opportunity.

"He would have got more of a hand-shake then than he got but, being a selfish person, it was painful to lose him.

"Putting my hat on as I did as a young footballer, I wanted to play as high as I could so I can't be a hypocrite."

Striker Sam Grouse has also returned to former club Harrowby United after joining at the start of the season from the United Counties League Division One side.

Drury explained: "It was my decision. Sam has done nothing wrong.

"I've perhaps not given him enough opportunities because he probably deserved more and I'll take responsibility for that.

"I don't think we've lost when he's started so he's got a real argument with me.

"But I've looked at the league after 10 games which is when I always judge it and I think we need to be physically stronger up top and that was proved on Saturday when we played third in the league and won.

"Grant Ryan was superb for us and it also helped Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson having him up there.

"I've apologised to Tommo for having to use him as a targetman, but he was the only one we had.

"I've been looking, I've been trying to find rather than bringing anyone in for the sake of it.

"Grant has been on to me for a while. He wanted to come at the start of the season, but I thought with the new teams coming into the league it would bring a bit more flair in and we'd be able to pop it about a bit.

"But the league has gone a different way. It's more physical with the northern sides."