MARK Yates is set to strengthen Cheltenham Town's promotion charge with a move for an experienced midfielder, with former Bristol City man Lee Johnson believed to be his number one target.

Speaking after Tuesday night's 4-2 defeat to Crawley Town that saw the Robins lose top spot in League Two, Yates confirmed that he is in talks with a player but nothing has been finalised.

Crewe manager Steve Davis believes the deal is done, however, and has admitted to missing out on a target with "vast experience of the Championship" to the Robins.

Confirming that Crewe had missed out, boss Davis said that the player's wage demands were in excess of what the Railwaymen were prepared to pay.

"He has vast experience of the Championship, but we couldn't afford to bring him in. His demands were beyond us and he has now gone to Cheltenham," Davis said.

Asked about Davis' comments, Yates refused to be drawn on whether the deal for the player, who the Echo believes to be former Yeovil Town schemer Johnson, has been finalised.

"There's maybe something in it, maybe not," Yates said.

"I've spoken to the player in question but certainly nothing is done. He does fancy it but he has other options as well.

"There are other irons in the fire and it's a case of watch this space and see what happens over the coming days."

After the release of long-serving midfielder Dave Bird last month, Yates currently has only three specialist midfield players contracted to the club.

And with Russ Penn currently struggling with a back/hamstring problem, midfield recruits are likely to be high on the Robins boss' wish list.

Johnson certainly fits into the mould of having vast Championship experience having made nearly 150 appearances for the Bristol Robins in the division since winning promotion in 2007.

He has found opportunities more limited since the departure of his father Gary as manager two years ago and only played a bit-part role under his successor Keith Millen.

Prior to his five-year stint at Ashton Gate, Johnson had been a major component in the Yeovil Town side that rose out of the Conference and to within a whisker of winning promotion from League One.

The 30-year-old, who is 5ft 6in tall, spent the first three months of the current season on-loan at League One strugglers Chesterfield, making 13 appearances.

After failing to break through into the City squad under new boss Derek McInnes on his return from Derbyshire, Johnson was released from his contract at the end of January and is therefore a free agent.

He has already ruled out a return to play for Yeovil after dad Gary returned as manager last month, saying he wanted a fresh challenge.

"I feel that at this point in my career and life that it isn't the right thing for me to do," Johnson said.