MIKE Symons is the highest profile casualty as Worcester City begin their summer rebuilding programme.

The striker is one of four players released by the Conference North club alongside fellow forward Michael Taylor, midfielder Jay Denny and centre-half Anthony Charles.

But the Blue and Whites have agreed deals with seven of their squad, including right-back Kyle Haynes, midfielders Danny Jackman and Rob Elvins and forward Tristian Dunkley, while defender Shabir Khan will stay on a pay-as-you-play arrangement.

City are also hopeful of retaining the services of captain and player-of-the-season Ellis Deeney and 15-goal striker Daniel Nti.

Both have been offered terms and because they are under 24, Worcester would be entitled to a fee should they sign for another club.

Symons leaves having scored 10 goals in his second stint with the club, the first bringing 33 goals in two seasons.

Joint manager Carl Heeley said: “Without doubt the toughest decision was Mike Symons.

“He is brilliant with his back to goal but the bottom line is we have got to correct the problem of the goals-for column and he just hasn’t scored enough goals this season.”

Midfielder Dean Waldron and left-back Jamie Smith, both products of City’s academy, have also agreed new deals, while winger Joao Sousa is considering an offer.

Heeley and joint boss Matt Gardiner are still to meet with keepers Nathan Vaughan and Jose Veiga and centre-half Jacob Rowe over their futures.

They are keen to keep Tyler Weir but the left-back is mulling over spending the summer in Australia, which could see him miss the start of the 2015-16 campaign.

Sean Geddes, who scored 17 goals last season, and midfielder Connor Gater both ave another year left to run on their contracts.