DEFENDER Tyler Weir says Worcester City’s players are thrilled manager Carl Heeley and assistant Matt Gardiner have pledged their futures to the club.

The 23-year-old left-back thinks City have the strongest squad since he’s been at the club and believes Heeley can unlock their full potential.

“The only reason I came back to Worcester when I did was because of the gaffer (Carl Heeley) and his assistant Matt Gardiner,” said Weir.

“Since they have signed their rolling long-term contracts it has given me and the rest of the lads a huge boost because we know they both want the best for the club.

“I think we have got the strongest squad in my time at the club and we have got competition in all areas of the field.

“We have got a squad that should be in the top-10 in the league.”

The Blue and Whites are 10th in the Vanarama Conference North and travel to Lincolnshire to face ninth-placed Gainsborough Trinity today (3pm).

Wayne Thomas (back) and Tristan Dunkley (dislocated shoulder) are missing for City, who are seeking their first away goal — and maiden away win — this term.

Heeley will have to decide whether to keep faith with goalkeeper Jose Veiga or recall Nathan Vaughan, who missed City’s 1-1 midweek draw against Boston.

Weir added: “Since I have been at this level, I have played at Gainsborough four times and not won — so I hope that will change.”

Heeley says Gainsborough will be a tough proposition for City but his troops must try to replicate their excellent form at Aggborough.

“Darryn Stamp will be a handful up-front but we have some good players who can deal with his threat,” said Heeley.

“We have scored four goals in our last two matches and we have to start to do that now away from home as we have not scored away from home yet.”