MANAGER Carl Abbott has invited Evesham United’s old guard to stick around – but warned against taking too long about deciding.

Question marks remain over the futures of last season’s captain Linden Dovey, defender Will Wellon, midfielder Joe Tumelty and triple player-of-the-year winner Joe Turley, who has been offered a trail by Gloucester City.

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Abbott has agreed terms with no fewer than 20 players but remains open to giving a chance to anyone who wants it.

“Joe Turley is probably one of the best central midfielders in the division and I want him in my side but I must press on and plan accordingly,” said Abbott.

“He has been in contact throughout and very respectful, he just doesn’t know where his future lies at the minute.

“What players will do by waiting is create greater competition for their shirts but Joe is good enough to deal with that.

“If he decides his future is at Evesham then great and I would expect him to get into my side. Other players are not as gifted as Joe.

“It creates a more difficult landscape for players and it may end up being that I don’t have anything for some of them.

"That’s not the case with Joe. He has earned the right to make his decision by having a great season and is quite rightly in demand.”

Abbott continued: “I will carry on and the landscape becomes more difficult for lads who are casual about it. That’s the risk they take.

“I opened my arms to and have respect for the lads already here, there is a conversation to be had and an opportunity to stay for all of them but the longer it goes on the more the landscape will get difficult.

“Then it is about them backing themselves and being better than what we bring in.”

Top scorer Kane Simpson, his brothers Kye and Cory Simpson, Cinderford-bound Marley Thomas, Carl Brown, Steve Davies and Toumani Sidibe, understood to be a target for league rivals Bristol Manor Farm, will all be leaving the Jubilee Stadium.

Left-back Will Tunnicliff was “very respectful and made the time to come to see us” before heading back to Cirencester Town which is “more local”.

Abbott added: “We wish him all the best.”