St Albans City joint manager Graham Golds remains hopeful the club will sign a couple of players this week.

The Saints brought in defender Joe Bruce on a one-month loan from Hemel Hempstead last week. The experienced 28-year-old has previously played for Luton Town and Dartford. However the Southern Premier Division outfit are still optimistic about adding some more new players before the weekend.

Golds said: “I think the whole squad needs strengthening and anyone decent that becomes available we will look at, no matter what position they play.

“We just have to play it by ear but hopefully we can get a couple of players in this week. I think we would have already signed a couple more if it hadn’t been for the bad weather.”

The Saints have slipped out of the top-five recently and are currently in eighth position. But Golds insists the club are still hoping to reach the play-offs, although their immediate priority is consolidation after a major overhaul of the squad.

The former youth coach said: “We have to put things in place for the future but we are still looking to get into the play-offs. We know it will be hard but we would still like to do it and the play-offs remains our aim. We need to stabalise first of all and then see where that takes us.

“It has been what we expected so far. We knew it would be hard and probably get worse before it gets better but it’s been no different to what we expected. It is our job to make it right and get performances on the field but we have been enjoying the challenge. I think the fans can see we’re trying to get the ball down and play attractive football.”

Reflecting on James Gray and his time in charge of the club, he said: “We’ve had nine games now and we've won four, drawn two and lost three.

“We’re quite happy considering everything that has gone on recently with players leaving. I think our record is still better than before we came in.

“I think everyone who is with us now wants to be with the club although you never know if someone comes in from a higher level with a better offer. All the lads are happy to be part of it and we’re through the worst of it.”

St Albans were due to host Gosport Borough on Saturday but the match was unsurprisingly postponed due to the snow. If the weather improves by the weekend the Saints will travel to bottom club Kettering Town.

Golds said: “Training outdoors is out of question at the moment because of the snow so we’re trying to organise an indoor session at Oaklands College. It’s been difficult but the thing is that everyone is in the same boat but it’s not ideal. It takes time for new players to gel but we haven’t been able to train recently.

“Kettering have had an indifferent set of results but we know that anyone can beat any side in our division. Every match is difficult and we won’t take them lightly.”

The club held a presentation for councillors last week outlining plans for a new stadium. The Saints want to move to a 5,000 capacity venue to the north of Colney Heath Lane, adjacent to Alban Way and south of Alban Park.

St Albans intend to hold a fan’s forum providing more information about the project. Golds said: “If they feel that is the way the club needs to go to push higher through the league then fair play for having the vision.”