MANAGER Carl Heeley says he is “very positive” Worcester City will retain more of last season’s squad as he prepares to hold further contract talks this week.

Lee Hughes, Danny Jackman, Kyle Perry, Connor Gater, Dean Waldron and Jamie Smith all agreed new deals after meeting Heeley last Monday.

City’s boss said he had already got a “great platform to build on” having also got full-back Tyler Weir on board for next season.

Winger Tristian Dunkley looks poised to extend his stay and Heeley said he was hoping to get a number of other players to sign on the dotted line.

“I haven’t spoken to Wayne Thomas yet because he was away on holiday for a few days, Tom Sharpe got married on the weekend and Alex Gudger was unavailable,” Heeley said.

“I do need to sit down and speak to those guys but in some cases we have already approached the subject and it has been discussed.

“So, all being well, we can finalise situations and make further announcements.”

Heeley continued: “The fact the players we have spoken to have committed is brilliant, so we are really positive and it is a great platform to build on.

“We have had a number of conversations with the remaining members of the squad and it is all very positive, so we are very happy with the way things have progressed.”

Centre-back Graham Hutchison is the first player to join City after agreeing to return to the club he left in February 2015.

The 23-year-old turned down an offer to remain at Vanarama National League North rivals AFC Telford United, where he had spent three separate loan spells from Halifax Town.

And Heeley believes the re-signing of the former Birmingham City defender is a vindication of the way City treat their players.

“If anybody leaves the club, there are no sour grapes and we try to wish them all the best and hopefully that pays dividends,” he said.

“When you get a situation like Graham’s, it highlights that approach to dealing with people does work.

“It is a great signing for us and we are absolutely delighted to get him back.

“Sometimes it does not work out at clubs and I am sure Hutch would say that about Halifax.

“But hopefully he can come back, hit the ground running and I am very confident the environment will suit him and he will be another big asset to the club.”

Heeley said he was also optimistic about bringing further new faces to Worcester over the next few weeks.

“There are a number of new recruits we are looking at and initial conversations are positive with them as well,” he said.

Meanwhile, City are set to unveil their new first-team coach following the departure of former joint-boss Matt Gardiner to Kidderminster Harriers and the promotion of John Snape to assistant manager.

Heeley added: “Discussions are at an advanced stage and I am really confident we will be able to make an announcement on who that person is early this week.”