WORCESTER Raiders joint managers Karl Gormley and Martin Stephens are looking to reduce the size of their squad in a bid to have a “settled” side next season.

Gormley said Raiders had 26 players on their books last term but he and Stephens became frustrated as several failed to commit on a regular basis.

The Claines Lane outfit started the 2017-18 season with ambitions of securing the West Midlands League Division One title only to finish in seventh position 15 points adrift of top spot.

But Gormley is determined to achieve their goal and insists he cannot afford to have players who are unable to turn up every week in their quest for glory.

“We had a decent squad but there were a few players that were coming and going,” Gormley said.

“This year we want to have more of a settled side and have the same 18 or 19 players there instead of having 26 signed on with six or seven of those only able to make it now and again.

“You will find that the successful sides in the league are the ones that have got a squad of 15 to 17 players and they are there every week.

“It has taken us two or three years to get to where we are now but there will be no excuses next season.

“Towards the end of last season we were whittling our squad down and looking towards next term.

“We are not going to bother with those players that can’t make it every week.

“I understand that players have to work at times or go on holiday but if we have got 18 or 19 there it will be a lot easier than hunting for players.”

Although Gormley is aiming to reduce numbers, he is close to adding two new faces to his team ahead of their pre-season friendly against Worcester City on Saturday, July 14 (3pm).

“We don’t think we have lost anyone but it is early days,” Gormley said.

“We don’t start pre-season training for another week or so. Once we go back we will know a bit more about who we have got on board.

“There are a couple of players we are looking at and are 99 per cent certain they are joining us but we won’t know until pre-season starts.

“They have told us they’re coming so we will wait and see.”

Gormley added: “Obviously we were a bit disappointed that we didn’t win the league last season but that will be our aim again.

“We will have another go at it but the lads will be more confident as we are in a better place than we were this time last year.”