AFC Telford close in on a deal to sign Tony Gray

After recruiting at the back and in the middle, the Bucks' new management team have turned their attentions to their front-line.

Gray, who worked with them at former club Southport, is one of the first priorities but the Merseysider has a year to run on his contract.

The Blue Square Premier newcomers are seeking a small fee but Telford boss Liam Watson and Morley have been handed an attractive budget.

That's to ensure the demoted Bucks are competitive in the Blue Square North but it's understood the club is not forking out transfer fees for players.

Yet the 29-year-old would be a prize capture, having been a proven scorer in the top two flights of non-league including hitting 24 Conference goals in 2011-12.

But he wants to leave the promoted Cheshire outfit as he feels he will struggle to fit his work commitments around Chester's busier schedule.

Morley said: "We have spoken to Chester about Tony Gray and the situation could become a bit clearer.

"The stumbling block is the fee they want for him as he's got a year left on his contract there. It's not a big amount but it's a problem and we're still talking about it.

"We're hopeful we can come to an agreement with them, as we would like to get Tony in."

Telford's signing spree has already seen the arrivals of defenders Simon Grand, Matthew McGinn and Wes Baynes along with midfielders Sean Cooke, Sean Clancy and Mike Phenix.

And Morley added: "We're looking at others and we have spoken to a few other players. It's a big job rebuilding the squad.

"Everyone was out of contract when we came and only a couple of the existing squad have been signed on."

They are keeper Ryan Young and defender Dan Preston, but Watson and Morley are not ruling out offering deals to others if they are still around for pre-season.

However, influential midfielder Phil Trainer may have secured another stint of Blue Square Premier football before then if Alfreton, who are understood to have noticed his availability, firm up their interest.

Morley stressed: "The other lads are more than welcome to come back and try and earn a new deal in pre-season."