WORCESTER City have suffered a double blow after home-grown ace Joe Bates and injury-plagued defender Sam Smith decided to leave the club.

Bates is a product of City’s youth system and was promoted to the first team in the 2015/16 season although he has yet to make a senior appearance.

After impressing on loan at Bishop’s Cleeve last term the 19-year-old from Lower Wick agreed terms to stay at City for the upcoming campaign.

However, joint manager John Snape confirmed Bates had left the Blue and Whites after the young striker felt he was not first choice.

Worcester had also hoped to get Smith, who has previously had a spell at City, on board for next season after being given a trial.

But Snape revealed their efforts to sign him had been dashed after the ex-Stourbridge player sustained an injury setback.

“Joe has left the club,” Snape said. “It was his decision as he wanted to be the number one choice and he didn’t feel he was.

“Sam has come back but he has had a recurrence of his knee injury and has a lower back issue.

“So he felt he would give it a miss and won’t be playing at any football club due to that injury.

“I wanted Joe and Sam on board but we knew there were going to be some highs and lows in pre-season and the squad would change before the start of the season.”

In their opening two pre-season games City have let slip 1-0 leads having lost 3-1 at Leamington on Tuesday and 2-1 at Gornal Athletic on Thursday.

Worcester visit Midland League Division One outfit Pershore Town today (3pm).

“I have been happy with the way we have been trying to play as we have been very offensive,” Snape added.

“We haven’t scored enough goals but are getting into good positions and hopefully with a few more games under belts we will improve in front of goal.”