CLITHEROE manager Neil Reynolds has signed a host of players in a bid to halt the club’s poor run of form.

The Blues have seen their grip on the UniBond League Division One (North) promotion places slip in recent weeks – and they slumped to a sixth straight defeat in midweek when losing 2-1 to Rossendale in the Lancashire FA Co-Op Challenge Trophy.

Compounding their problems has been an ever-expanding injury-list, with eight players sidelined for last weekend’s defeat at Colwyn Bay.

Jonathan Smith, Dave Hankin, Ian Flannery and Craig Sargeson may return for tomorrow’s trip to Salford City.

But Reynolds has made some signings to get the Blues back on track, bringing in two young loanees, left-back Connor Carragher from Blackburn Rovers and Accrington Stanley forward Andrew Smith.

Ex-Preston striker Ashley Higgins has also arrived at Shawbridge, along with full-back Jonathan Forbes from Kendal Town.

To make way for the new signings, Reynolds is set to release upto four players.

“We’re have a disastrous time of it, losing six on the trot,” he said. “I don’t want to make excuses, but we’ve had an horrendous amount of injuries.

“We’ve given some other lads a chance, but the results haven’t come. That tells me that while I’ve got a strong first XI, the whole squad is not good enough.”

Clitheroe are also chasing Chorley’s Ashley Parillon