By Graham Lovett LEIGH RMI manager Steve Waywell reckons one more signing will be enough to give his side a fighting chance to establish themselves in the Nationwide Conference.

He already has brought half-a-dozen new faces to Hilton Park and hopes that during the club's tour of the Isle of Man this weekend, he will have signed Mark Patterson, the last piece in the jigsaw.

On Tuesday night he was busy with the pen, finalising Mark Winstanley's deal and bringing back Ian Swan, who proved a big hit last season when he had a loan spell with the Railwaymen.

Waywell was disappointed that the loan wasn't extended, but Swan's club, Oldham, sold him to Partick Thistle. Now the defender has returned in a permanent deal.

Another defender, Jamie Udall, finally completed his transfer from Lancaster, and, along with Andy Farrell, that quartet could provide a new-look back four.

Waywell has also re-signed Dave German, who was out of contract, and ended all the speculation about Steve Jones leaving the club by extending his contract. Already on board are goalkeeper Craig Dootson and striker Mick Morrell, so if Waywell can clinch the Patterson deal, there should be the right blend of youth and experience to get RMI through the difficult first season.

"Mark would be a straight replacement for Mark Ward and give us good balance as well as competition in all departments," said Waywell.

"We will also have pace all through the side and on paper we looked to be OK but we won't know until we get that first match against Dagenham and Redbridge out of the way.

"We also have the players to switch systems but it is important that we use the pre-season friendlies to get to know each other with the arrival of so many new faces," explained Waywell.

The squad left for the Isle of Man today before playing their first game tonight, backing up with a match on Sunday afternoon.

Next Tuesday they play Oldham Athletic followed by Wigan Athletic two days later. Both games at Hilton Park kicking off at 7.30pm.