Keates, who has seen West Brom defender Jack Fitzwater return to his parent club, and ex-Norwich City centre back Russell Martin decide to end his time in the West Midlands, has only four recognised defenders at his disposal and is keen to add experience to his backline before the Transfer Window closes at the end of the month.
Left-back Callum Cockerill-Mollett and central defender Dan Vann are out on loan with Chasetown whilst Kory Roberts and Ben Purkiss are currently battling for fitness with neither having a date for a return to the first-team.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Dean confirmed; "If we can add experience, we will – but with experience comes quite a big price tag. I made phone calls all last week and we were a bit unfortunate not to add the ones that we wanted.
"There’s been a few niggles going around other football clubs so more players will become available this week. We also missed out on a centre-half. He chose to go somewhere else in the division."