THE central midfielder Worcester City had hoped to sign over the weekend now plans to pursue potential deals with professional clubs in France or Belgium.

Manager Ashley Vincent politely declined to name the prospect that City had announced would be signing in a social media post on Saturday only to say he had “performed a slight U-turn” hours later.

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“It is someone we had an interest in last season. It couldn’t be done then, I thought it could be this summer and it is not dead in the water,” explained Vincent.

“The lad has options with professional clubs in other countries and I think that speaks volumes for the calibre of player we are trying to bring in.

“He is a central midfielder who likes to get it down and pass and can open up teams from anywhere in the midfield, not just defences.

“For now, we move on and if something else crops up that fits the bill then we will go for that.

“I don’t close doors so this one will stay in the background, you never know how circumstances might change but we are looking to bring in someone in that position while this lad goes off to see what options he may or may not have.

“If it comes off for him then he will get a call from me to say congratulations. He is a talented boy and who would have been fantastic alongside what we already have.

“I am not going to sit and cry about what we don’t get in because what we have is fantastic.

“This player would no doubt have added to what we have. That’s not to say we are necessarily looking for that type of player, we won’t rule out anyone trying to match that criteria but we are looking in the midfield area, for sure.”

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It has been a summer of significant change in dugouts and dressing rooms across the Midlands with City among many clubs to announce the bulk of their squad before being able to register players.

Ex-City captain Brad Birch was confirmed as staying at Stourbridge before agreeing terms with arch rivals Halesowen Town only to return to the Glassboys.

Striker Sean Brain was meant to be staying with Evesham United but has since been snapped up by Coleshill Town, the kind of changes that blighted the start of last season for City.

However, Vincent is not concerned by the prospect of being gazumped.

“I probably feel as confident about it as any another manager but the reality is there is not much I can do, I can only control what’s in front of me,” he said.

“I am comfortable with where we are. I have been speaking to players and setting out my vision and they are buying into it.

“It is not like I have sat players down and said ‘you must sign now’, I have given them plenty of time to think about it because I want it to be the right choice for them.

“These players would have exhausted the options that are out there so I feel okay with it.

“That’s not me saying this won’t happen to Worcester City, it is possible but in my head this is the squad I will be going forward with and let’s have it right, it is a very good side at this level.”