WORCESTER City captain Brad Birch is understood to be the subject of a last-gasp swoop from his former club Stourbridge.

The Glassboys are keen to complete a switch before Thursday’s 5pm registration deadline but it is too late for them to file the standard seven-day notice period.

Birch would need City's blessing in order to leave or could dual register, leaving him free to represent either club for the rest of the season provided he does not sign contract terms.

Worcester-based Birch stepped down two levels to join City from Stourbridge in the summer and has established himself as a popular figure.

In January, he drove back from work in Bognor Regis to play in a match at Hereford-based Westfields, scoring once and providing three assists in a 4-2 victory.

But with growing uncertainty over plans for next season, Birch could be lured back as the mid-table Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit plots a route back into play-off contention next season.