St Albans City manager David Howell has signed former Watford midfielder Micah Hyde.

The Saints boss has also persuaded impressive young Queen’s Park Rangers full-back Michael Harriman to spend another month on loan and has opened talks with the Evo-Stik Southern League’s leading scorer Drew Roberts about a return to Clarence Park from Bedford Town.

Hyde, who has also played for Burnley, Peterborough and Barnet, joins from Ryman League side Aveley after spending last season with Billericay Town and will come straight into the squad for Saturday’s derby at Hitchin Town.

“Micah is a wise head and a good passer of the ball,” said Howell after persuading Hyde to put pen to paper following Tuesday night’s training. “I am looking to him to help get us going again.”

Howell also explained the move for 19-goal Roberts, who was with Saints last season and bagged a late brace for Bedford in Saints’ 2-2 draw at The Eyrie in October.

“Drew is not on contract at Bedford so we put in a seven-day approach last week, which allowed me to talk to him this week.

“He has had a number of approaches but I have pointed out the benefits at Clarence Park now the club is under new ownership and is ambitious to progress.

“He has taken it on board and is thinking it all over. I am hopeful that he will realise that it could be a good move back here for him, where he will be wanted and welcomed.”

The moves come on top of the recruitment of left-back Narada Bernard and evergreen favourite Simon Martin at the end of last week.

“We’ve needed some experience and guidance in the squad in key positions and that’s what I have looked to bring in,” added Howell, who is expecting more movement later in the week.

Attacker Jerome Walker this week chose to depart the club after receiving a seven-day approach from Metropolitan Police, while on-loan QPR striker Mo Sharif has taken up an offer to go on loan to Staines Town. This comes on top of Reece Yorke’s recent move to Northwood.

Meanwhile, defender Matt Cutchey rejoins the squad this week, having been loaned short-term to Billericay last weekend to get game time rather than sit on the Saints bench.