MANAGER Gary Hackett says he's still planning to lead Stourbridge next season and wants his players to show they are also keen to stay at the club.

The Glassboys suffered a 3-2 defeat to Workington on Monday night as their league campaign continues to peter out.

They were due to face West Bromwich Albion in the Birmingham Senior Cup semi-final on Wednesday night before Saturday's trip to Lancaster City.

Hackett is determined to end the season as strongly as possible before turning his attention to summer preparations.

He said: "It's hard to focus on the future at the moment because it's important we end the season well. I want us to put in a strong finish, especially because we have a cup semi-final to focus on.

"I'll then sit down and start planning for next season after that. As things stand, I'm still planning to be here and to prepare the team over the summer. Nothing has changed on that front.

"There is no doubt about it, the players are playing to be part of the club next season. I always knew that was the case as a player and here is no different.

"Those that want to be with us next season have to be working hard to try and get a deal."

On the Workington loss, he added: "It was another frustrating evening. The one thing we said was that we didn't want to give them something to hang onto after such a long trip. We then go and gift them a cheap goal early."

However, the boss at the War Memorial Ground did praise the versatility of his players in recent weeks as the squad works to overcome more injury issues.

The likes of Aaron Forde, Kaiman Anderson, Louis Hall, Brad Reid and Connor Gater all remain sidelined.

"The players have had to be versatile and they have done it well," added Hackett. "It hasn't been easy but you look at players like Brad Birch since he returned and he's played at left-back, central midfield and right midfield but has been excellent.

"It's not been easy, it's been a difficult season but we'll keep working hard."