WITTON Albion have already begun to plan for next season with the signing of centre back Ian Kearney from Radcliffe Borough.
The player jumped at the chance of joining Albion, even though he had other offers and knew there was little chance of him getting in the team this season.
Albion have paid a small fee for 19-year-old Kearney, who manager Jim Vince sees as a potential Conference North quality signing.
'We have identified a good young player who will do well for us. I wanted him in the pre-season but missed out,' said Vince.
Getting back to promotion form after two defeats - albeit one being in the League Cup - is Witton's priority when they host Ilkeston Town on Saturday.
Witton will receive the UniBond League club-of-the-month award for February before the kick off.
They could not stop scoring or winning last month, but they have netted only one goal in the past two games.
'I don't think it's a blip. The final ball in the last third has not been good enough, but it will come good again,' said Vince.
Ilkeston are ninth will little chance of making the play-offs.
Witton go to Burscough - one of their rivals for Kearney - on Tuesday, while their home game against Telford United, which was postponed last Tuesday, has been rearranged as the penultimate match of the season, on April 24.
Another rearranged game is at Gateshead on Monday, April 16.
