Marcus Crawley reports A TRIO of players are being chased by Stevenage Boro boss Mark Stimson this week. A wide player, a central midfielder and a full-back are targets for Stimson before the January transfer window closes on Wednesday. They currently pla

Marcus Crawley reports

A TRIO of players are being chased by Stevenage Boro boss Mark Stimson this week.

A wide player, a central midfielder and a full-back are targets for Stimson before the January transfer window closes on Wednesday.

They currently play for clubs in the Championship and League One as well as the Conference.

Stimson said: "We're waiting on clubs with several players and the lad from the Championship is especially keen to join us.

"There should be more developments by the end of this week."

Tuesday night's 2-1 home defeat by St Albans City ended a run of seven straight league and cup victories and shattered a 10-match unbeaten run stretching back to November 11.

Stimson added: "The run has ended but we'll look to go on another one now.

"It was disappointing for it to come to an end, especially against our local rivals.

"Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition and St Albans stuck to their task well.

'We were comfortable at times during the game and created some decent opportunities, particularly in the first half, but didn't take them.

"Their two quick goals gave them a lift and we couldn't get back in it.

"The wind played a big part on Saturday. When we had it in our favour in the second half, we got four and it could have been six or seven in the end."

One new addition already is central midfielder Mark Hughes who briefly featured in both home games.

The ex-Spurs, Oldham and Chesterfield man has played 65 Football League games and won a full international cap for Northern Ireland.

Hughes has joined until the end of the season and Stimson said: "He has played in the League and got that experience."

Club captain Jason Goodliffe has returned from his loan spell at York City and Stimson added: "Jason's back and is a part of our squad."

Misfit striker Tony Thorpe has gone back to League Two Grimsby until the end of the season.

Boro are now off to Gravesend and Northfleet this Saturday and Stimson said: "Gravesend are possibly over-achieving this season.

"There's no reason why we can't go there and start another run. The squad is still full of confidence."

Boro will then meet holders Bishop's Stortford in the Herts Senior Cup on Wednesday night in a repeat of last year's final.

The game will kick-off at 7.45pm at Broadhall Way.

The trip to Stafford Rangers which was postponed earlier this month has been rearranged for Tuesday, February 20.

A date has yet to be fixed for the visit to Northwich Victoria which was off due to FA Trophy commitments.