Rayer spent two years as a player at Bedford in the 1990s
Bedford Blues are closing in on their sixth and final summer signing.
The Blues have already made six signings since the close of the last Championship campaign and the next arrival will be their last.
Director of rugby Mike Rayer told BBC Three Counties Radio: "There may be one more to announce, but we're crossing T's and dotting I's.
"It will be another player of experience behind the scrum, but we're pretty much done."
Rayer's side will build up to the new season with friendlies against two of rugby's giants, Northampton Saints and Saracens.
The former Cardiff coach admits they are both tough prospects.
"I don't know about setting the bar high, we've bitten off more than we can chew," he joked.
"Both sides will bring strong squads, it will be a tough test and we're hoping not to pick up any injuries as a consequence."
The second-tier of English rugby has a very competitive look to it this season, and with the new format all 12 sides will be involved in either a promotion or relegation play-off series come the campaign's end.
"We put ourselves under pressure to perform on a weekly basis," Rayer added.
"The seeds of that are being sown now in pre-season, everyone's looking really good, they're probably as fit a group as I've coached so far."
The Blues are set to host Saints on 13 August and Sarries on 17 August, before getting their campaign underway against Plymouth at the end of the month.
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