THERE is “no major panic” for Worcester City to sign a goalkeeper, insists manager Carl Heeley despite missing out on one of his targets.

The search has been on to find a new number one since Nathan Vaughan left for Solihull Moors in May.

Manager Carl Heeley revealed he was poised to sign a new keeper earlier this month before the deal collapsed at the 11th hour.

Despite the setback, Heeley said he remained upbeat about getting one on board within the next few weeks.

“We are talking to keepers,” he said. “We had pretty much agreed a deal with a keeper that fell through, so it is back to the drawing board.

“But there are things we are looking at and it is about finding the best option available to us.

“There are certainly two or three who will train with us and we have keepers trialling in games as well.

“But there is no major panic.”

Worcester kicked off their pre-season schedule with a 1-0 win at Stourport Swifts last Saturday.

A 1-1 draw at Stratford Town on Tuesday night was City’s next test before they take on Aston Villa tomorrow at Stourport's Walshes Meadow ground (3pm).

Ex-Alfreton Town goalkeeper Nick Draper played against Stratford.

Former Birmingham City youngster Leighton Smith and Alex Connell, formerly of Haverfordwest County, had figured at Swifts.

Heeley said he was hoping to see his squad gain in strength on and off the field as they close in on their opening Vanarama National League North game against Harrogate Town on Saturday, August 6.

“Pre-season is a progression,” he said.

“You have got to build it up over four or five weeks and that’s quite a well-versed thing we do to try to get the players ready for the start of the season.

“Players will also become available through pre-season, so we will just have to sit tight and see what happens.

“There will be a lot of changes during games, so players will get a gradual build-up of minutes under their belt to make sure we don’t overstretch or fatigue them early on in pre-season.”