LEIGH RMI boss Mark Patterson is urging his side to finish outside the bottom three, even though only one team could be relegated from the Conference League at the end of the season.

In a twist to the relegation fight, Conference chairmen have voted for the league to be increased to 24 teams next season, to bring it into line with the Football League.

If that decision is, as expected, rubber-stamped at an FA meeting in May then only one team will be relegated with a reprieve for the other two clubs. Currently that would leave Kettering relegated with Stevenage and RMI surviving.

Stevenage beat Ketteringthis week to compond the Northamptonshire club's problems. Patterson is taking no chances, however, and wants the club to retain its Conference status by right.

"Totally irrespective of what happens we have to finish outside the bottom three, " he said. "I and the players don't want to be in the Conference by default. In the last three games the players have shown to me they are committed and I am confident we can get out of the bottom three."

Patterson has been active on the transfer front and after acquiring Ian Pendlebury, snapped up left winger Neil Prince. The 20-year-old was released by Liverpool last season and joins Leigh on a non-contract basis until the end of the season after spells at Torquay and Southport.

Meanwhile experienced defender Paul Williams has gone to Hyde United, managed by former RMI boss Steve Waywell. Patterson is hopeful he can offload Stuart Whittaker, Jon Robertson, Damien Whitehead and Ged Kielty. Whittaker, the former Wanderers winger was given a free transfer after failing to make the starting line-up in recent weeks.

Patterson needs to release one of those if he is to bring in new faces.

"I am building for next season but I need to keep my squad up to strength," added Patterson, who has three players struggling to make Saturday's game with Forest Green Rovers. Mark Ford and Gerry Harrison have knee problems, while Neil Fitzhenry has a hernia problem.

Ian Monk, who scored the goal in the 1-1 draw at Telford, was making his 200th appearance for the club.