LEIGH RMI boss Andy Nelson admits he is feeling the pressure to deliver as his side prepare for three key games over the Christmas period.

The manager has been busy on the transfer front bringing in three players permanently and another three on loan as he tries to rebuild a team that can pull themselves out of the relegation zone.

RMI have not won a league game since the end of August and Nelson says his new-look side must gel quickly and start to produce the points.

"The next three matches are must wins," he said. "We have brought in new faces and need them to provide a winning dividend. Yes, I am feeling the pressure on me to deliver. The side needs a bit of time to gel, but time is not on my side."

The manager, with the smallest budget in the Conference North, has been given a little leeway to manoeuvre in the transfer market and brought in young Blackpool striker Sean Paterson and defender Michael Murray from Rochdale.

He also persuaded Mike Harris, the former Blackpool and Newcastle utility player to return to the game after a two year absence.

All three will be in the squad for Monday's home clash with promotion-chasing Harrogate Town.

Nelson had already snapped up Stockports Chris Williams on loan two weeks ago, centre-half Chris McGrath on a permanent deal from Chorley and Martyn Lancaster, who returned to the club after a spell in the States, but his hopes of Wayne Maden returning have been dashed for the moment.

"It is looking a lot better," said Nelson. "Paterson will do a job for us as he is a quality player, while Harris, although he has been out of the game for a while, has kept himself fit and is a great acquisition.

"We are trying our best to strengthen the squad on limited resources and I will have to 'rob Peter to pay Paul'. That will mean losing some of the young lads who I know will develop and be good enough in a couple of seasons, but we can't afford to keep them that long."

Mark Drew is out of the game with Harrogate, while Ryan McDowall faces a late fitness test on a back problem.