WORCESTER City fans should be feeling encouraged by the way their team is shaping up for the new season.

There may be more than three weeks to go before the Conference North action starts, but the signs are looking good.

Already on board for 2014-15 is the entire first-choice defence from the end of last season, as well as captain Ellis Deeney and keeper Jose Veiga.

Manager Carl Heeley has also added another keeper in Nathan Vaughan and brought former top-scorer Mike Symons back from Oxford City.

On top of that, City seem set to sign utility player Danny Jackman, who has a wealth of Football League experience, while midfielder Phil Trainer, another sizeable name in non-league circles, is in the frame.

Other players who have plyed their trade higher up the non-league ladder, such as Rob Purdie and David McDermott, have also trained with the club, along with several of the youth team that will inevitably fill out the squad.

But for City to be attracting such players shows how far they have come in one season, despite them only finishing 15th in the table.

Just 12 months ago, Heeley and assistant Matt Gardiner were faced with a rebuilding job in the wake of the club leaving St George’s Lane.

This summer, they have not only been able to persuade some of their main players to stay but they have added players of repute.

The one down side is that leading marksman Daniel Nti looks poised to start next season at another club, although Worcester would be able to claim compensation.

While there is nothing to suggest that City’s budget has increased, their profile certainly has, with Aggborough a major selling point for players.

Indeed, players have been contacting the club rather than the other way around. When that happens, players cannot always call the shots.

City seem to be assembling a strong squad.