WORCESTER City is thrashing out terms to try to retain the services of George Forsyth.

Manager John Snape revealed the flexible 21-year-old, who scooped last season's Worcester News Player of the Season gong, had held talks with City but that his future remained in the balance.

Having initially arrived on loan from Gloucester City, Forsyth made 36 appearances and scored five goals across his two spells despite filling a variety of defensive positions as well as his preferred central-midfield role.

“I have sat down with Foz. He intimated he still wanted to stay but there are some financial issues that would need to be addressed to make it happen," said Snape.

“The club has to work within the parameters of the current budget to try to make sure the club is sustainable.

“There is some interest in him, we expected that but we will keep talking and see what pans out."

Goalkeeper Matt Gwynne yesterday became the seventh of last season’s players to be retained by City.

Having signed from Westfields at the start of the campaign, Gwynne fought it out with loanee Tom Palmer early on with Nathan Vaughan drafted in as first choice in December.

Gwynne remained and got his chance when Vaughan left for Kidderminster Harriers only to break his hand in an accident at work. He played 23 times for City last term.

He joins Jamie Smith, new player-coach Mat Birley, Jordan Stoddart, Nick Turton, top scorer Dave Reynolds and James Baldwin in committing with Snape still talking to the rest of his squad.

“There were some outstanding individual performances last season,” he added. “I am currently speaking to the rest of the lads that finished the campaign with us or will be in the very near future.”

A move for another of last season's stars looks unlikely, though, after Stourbridge announced they had agreed terms with midfielder Brad Birch for 2018-19.

Snape confirmed he had been talking to Birch, who took the captain’s armband during the early part of the campaign and was a regular presence in the middle of the park until March.

The Worcester-based fans’ favourite, who rejected the overtures of landlords Bromsgrove Sporting last season, penned dual-registration terms with the Glassboys in March on the back of uncertainty over next season's playing budget.

With both clubs having a multitude of matches to fit in, Birch still played in five of City’s final 12 matches despite giving Stourbridge first call on his services. He finished with 32 appearances and eight goals for Worcester.