WORCESTER City’s tug of war over Brad Birch is set to continue with Stourbridge boss Gary Hackett revealing he remains keen to keep the midfielder.

Birch dual registered with the Glassboys last week and played at Witton Albion on Tuesday before returning to City colours against Long Eaton United on Thursday.

His first fixture clash arrived on Saturday when work commitments enabled him to pick City’s home clash with Boldmere St Michaels over a trip to Farsley, Yorkshire, with Stour.

Having represented Sunday side Callow End in a cup final on Sunday, Birch could play for the fifth time in seven days when Stourbridge host Sutton Coldfield Town in the Northern Premier League tonight.

That is the second of five games in 10 days for Stourbridge who travel to Matlock Town on Wednesday, 24 hours prior to City’s trip to Shepshed Dynamo.

Both of Birch’s clubs play on Saturday, when a gate of 2,000 or more is expected for Stour's Black Country derby clash at Halesowen, and on Easter Monday.

When quizzed on the future of Birch and Tyler Weir, who played his first match for Redditch United on Saturday having also signed dual-registration terms, City manager John Snape said: “I think we should have first call on them because they have been our players all season.

“That might not sit well with the other managers involved but that’s something for me to sort with the players.”

Hackett said: “It will come down to Brad’s decision.

“He was here before and I understood his reasons for leaving. He is a Worcester lad and has the opportunity to captain his hometown club.

“I would love him to play for us until the end of the season and would like to think the attraction of playing two levels higher could make a difference. 

“We are aware there may be potential for restrictions at Worcester moving forward but we will just have to wait and see.

“I am hoping he has not had a change of heart.”