HALESOWEN Town have turned to veteran striker Lee Hughes to help fire them to Northern Premier League safety.

The former West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster Harriers hitman signed for the Yeltz in a playing capacity on Tuesday night after stepping down as Worcester City's joint manager.

Boss John Hill hopes Hughes' experience and ability in the final third will help drive his side away from basement boys Sutton Coldfield.

He said: "We are delighted that we've been able to get him in because there were a lot of other clubs chasing his signature.

"His experience will be a huge help to us.

"Matt Clarke (assistant manager) knows him well and when we heard he may be available we jumped on it.

"We are all fighting to keep this club in this league and his goals and experience could be key to that."

The boss is also pleased to have finally had more joy in the transfer market this week.

It's been a frustrating time for Hill and assistant Clarke with their efforts to add new players often proving fruitless with their side battling at the bottom.

However, that changed this week with Hughes' arrival adding to the capture of Ahmed Ali from Bromsgrove Sporting and Clitheroe's Danny Byrnes.

Central midfielder Ali, 27, was a popular figure at The Rouslers but has moved on following the departure of manager Paul Smith.

He joins fellow new arrival Danny Byrnes ahead of this Saturday's tough trip to promotion-chasing Ashton United.

Byrnes, 21, started his career at Oldham Athletic, has also played for Ossett Albion and can operate out wide as well as in the middle.

Hill said: "We know all about Ahmed. He came and played for us in pre-season a few years ago but it didn't quite work out.

"We spoke to Bromsgrove and were very keen to get him in. He's moved into midfield since those days and done extremely well.

"We are pleased with both signings because Danny Byrnes is a player with good pedigree who can give us something out wide as well as centrally. Both players will add extra energy to our play.

"It's been frustrating on the recruitment front this season but when the right players become available then we'll try and get them in if we think they can add something."

The Yeltz will return to action at Ashton after last weekend's trip to Coalville was postponed due to the heavy snowfall.

Hill said: "It's going to be a very difficult game for us. They go into the game on the back of a draw with table-toppers Altrincham, which shows you what we are going to be up against.

"But I don't think it's a game where the pressure is off us because of the position we are in.

"We have to be looking to take something from every game we play now.

"It's frustrating that we haven't been able to play since our win over Matlock because we wanted to follow it up quickly and build on that.

"We didn't play that well in the game but got the win. We were keen to improve the performance as well.

"We would have preferred to play Coalville first but now we have a tougher away game instead."

Brad Lewis is available after injury and skipper Dan Bragoli and defender Marcus Poscha have finished their suspensions.