SARACENS are set to announce the captures of up to five new players within the next week after boss Alan Gaffney revealed he is close to finalising his squad for the new campaign.

Two forwards and three backs make up Gaffney's wish list and it appears they could come true all at once as the final pieces in his jigsaw for the new Guinness Premiership season fall into place.

South Africa utility-back Brent Russell looks to be on his way to Vicarage Road where he will be reunited with friend and former Western Province team-mate Neil de Kock. The Springbok is the only target the director of rugby has been willing to name and this week said a deal to bring the 27-year-old speedster was still alive.' The multiple swoop would all but confirm the end of the Men in Black's transfer activity before the big kick-off on September 15.

Nine players have exited the club since the end of last season - backs Tevita Vaikona, Ben Johnston, Thomas Castaignede, Tomas de Vedia and Ross Laidlaw, and forwards Shane Byrne, Simon Raiwalui, Ben Russell and Ben Broster.

Five new faces in addition to the four brought in would see all nine spots filled.

All Black star Chris Jack, Scotland flyhalf Gordon Ross, Italy loosehead Matias Aguero and former Wasps utility-back Edd Thrower have already signed up.

"There are a few things still to be done but we're not far away now," said Gaffney, speaking to the Watford Observer from the team's training camp in Portugal on Wednesday. "We're working on a few more players and, all things being equal, the squad should be finalised by the middle of next week."

Gaffney admitted administrative hurdles such as securing players early from their contracts with their current clubs was one of the main stumbling blocks, but does not anticipate it to be a problem for much longer.

"We've gone down a few paths and are looking at a number of different angles," he added.

Gaffney had expected to finish his transfer dealings earlier but Thomas Castaignede's protracted decision to quit club rugby caused delays.

"Thomas did not take a decision until April and that left us in a bit of a pickle as far as what we wanted to do," he said. "It's not left us with a lot of time but one of the players we are looking at is an outstanding 15 that would fit in well at Saracens."

Whether that is Brent Russell or another remains to be seen but Gaffney admitted he was confident the Stormers speedster will sign on the dotted line in the next few days.

"The Brent Russell deal is still alive and there's a few others in there too," he confirmed.

"If we get the players we want we're going to have a pretty good side, we just need to make sure those players are the right ones for Saracens."

The players have this week been put through their paces at Browns Sports and Leisure Club in Vilamoura on Portugal's Algarve, a resort the club have previously used to good effect.

"They've been working very hard here," added the Aussie. "It's a quality place to come and we're certainly seeing the benefits. We were one of the first clubs to come here (in the past)and the likes of England and Ireland have used the facilities. It's a great resort.

"Players are rooming with one another which is something they don't do on a regular basis. It's a long pre-season but we're trying to keep them fresh in preparation for the next cycle."

Missing from the camp were the Men in Black's contingent of international players Andy Farrell and Kevin Yates (England), Matias Aguero and Fabio Ongaro (Italy), Jack (New Zealand), Cencus Johnston (Samoa), Ross (Scotland), Kameli Ratuvou and Mosese Rauluni (Fiji), and Cobus Visagie (South Africa, injured).

Gaffney admits their inclusion hinders Sarries' pre-season build-up but is aware the club still reaps the benefits from having players perform at the highest level.

"We've known all along that quite a few of them would be called up," he said. "We will always encourage players to be called up for their countries and I feel we should have had more players selected for England. Of course it would be in our best interests if they were here but we'll be okay."