Little hopeful over securing services of Warriors top pair (From Worcester News)

Little hopeful over securing services of Warriors top pair

12:10pm Friday 11th January 2013 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

CHARLIE Little says he ‘sincerely hopes’ both Matt Kvesic and Matt Mullan will still be playing rugby for Worcester Warriors next season.

The sought-after duo are out of contract in the summer and other clubs are free to talk to them now, but Little is hoping deals can be tied up swiftly to keep Warriors’ prize assets at Sixways.

“What we are doing behind the scenes and the improvement in the play, the squad, the programme, the coaching and the structure is all positive,” the Worcester managing director said. “I sincerely hope both of them will still be here next season.

“They wouldn’t just go to any club, they would only leave here for a handful of clubs and they know that we clearly want them here and it is in both parties’ interests to know the outcome as soon as possible.

“It would be wrong of us just to assume they will sign — we’re into silly season now and the players and their agents have got to do what they have to do.

“When they look round and see what’s on offer at other clubs, it won’t be money, facilities or structure that will take a player away from Worcester, which is encouraging.”

Despite no announcements having been made yet, Little revealed some new signings are already completed, while others are close to being confirmed.

He explained: “We are lining them up now — we are at heads of terms stage with a number of players, while contracts are already signed with several others and we’re holding on to the announcements until the time is right.

“I said in my programme notes before Leicester that there is some good news just around the corner and that relates to both retaining and recruiting players. If it goes as we are hoping it does, then it is very encouraging for the supporters.”