DEFENDER Luke English looks set to sign after spending pre-season on trial at Worcester City.

English has featured throughout the summer build-up, operating in his natural position as a full-back or at centre-half.

Last season he played 25 times for Midland Football League Division One outfit Studley having trialled with Alvechurch following a successful spell with Redditch Borough.

English came off the bench in last night’s final friendly, a 3-1 defeat at home to Stourbridge in which Worcester grabbed a first-half lead.

James Baldwin smacked the crossbar within the opening minute and then hit the deck in the box just as the ball broke for Kyonn Evans to sweep across keeper Raj Gill 23 minutes in.

The Glassboys had enjoyed lengthy spells on top before the goal and levelled nine minutes later when Luke Benbow stooped to glance across Matt Gwynne from a Greg Mills cross.

A kamikaze backpass from Riley Keasey left Joel Caines in trouble with the latter fouling Mills in the penalty area two minutes before half-time.

Gwynne got close to Leon Broadhurst’s spot-kick only for it to squeeze under his body.

Broadhurst completed the scoring five minutes into the second half, converting at the far post at the second attempt from a clipped Mills centre.

The futures of trialling midfielders Ben Clarke and Charlie Wilson are set to be decided in the coming days.

Winger Jordan Harrison suffered a dead leg towards the end of the match but is expected to be fit for Saturday’s curtain raiser at Boldmere St Michaels (3pm).

City: Gwynne, Caines, J Smith (English, 56), Forsyth (Kang, 68), Stoddart, Clarke (Willis, 55), Evans (T Smith, 68), Keasey, Reynolds (Bates, 68), Harrison (Wedderburn, 81), Baldwin (Lockett, 55). Unused subs: Wilson, Dayus (g/k).