RIVAL bosses Brendan Kelly and John Snape have refuted speculation Bromsgrove Sporting could try to engineer a last-ditch swoop for Worcester City captain Brad Birch.

Midfielder Birch rejected then-Sporting manager Paul Smith’s overtures in November and FA rules prevent any club from filing a second move for any player in the same season.

Despite Sporting and City being promotion rivals as well as sharing the Victoria Ground, recent off-field upheaval has seen the rumour mill gather pace over the future of Worcester’s star attractions.

However, neither party anticipates making or enabling an attempt to come to an agreement with the player registration deadline passing at 5pm a week today.

“It is news to me,” said Kelly, who took the Bromsgrove hot seat last month having served as assistant to Smith.

“I know Smudge (Smith) went in for him earlier in the season and I have been serving a few approaches but nothing for Brad or any other Worcester player.

“Brad’s a good player but it is nothing I have been pursuing.”

Snape said: “I know nothing about another approach from Bromsgrove.

“Brad is the skipper and a massive part of the club. He is someone I certainly do not want to lose.”

Meanwhile, there has been further interest from above for Tyler Weir.

The Worcester News reported Redditch United had filed an approach for the full-back and National South outfit Chippenham Town and Cirencester Town have now joined the race.

Should Weir leave, he would follow former player and joint-boss Lee Hughes and Wayne Thomas through the exit.

Snape is trying to bolster his ranks with a pair of swoops prior to the transfer deadline, one of which is for Shawbury United forward Ben Robinson.

Dual-registered with AFC Telford United, Robinson wore the number nine shirt for Shawbury in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at City.

“I have had contact with Dave Richards (Shawbury manager) about Ben,” said Snape. “Out of courtesy, Dave has spoken to the player and is going to let me speak to him informally.

“Ben feels it may be a bit late in the season to make a move but we will still follow it up.

“We have made another approach for a player and will see what happens in due course.

“We may also contact higher-level clubs in the area to see if they have any players they want to get games before the end of the season.

“I am hoping to add at least one and not lose anyone.”

The move for Robinson, who has netted seven times in 23 starts and six substitute appearances in the Midland Football League this season, could be aided by Snape allowing some of Worcester’s youngsters to gain experience at Shawbury.

“There is a possibility some might go to see whether they are good enough to progress to the first team,” he confirmed.

“Before we do anything, we will have to make sure it is logistically right for the players involved and the under-21s are doing very well in their league too. It will be a three-way negotiation.

“It would be better for the development of the players to test themselves at our level. A lot have got minutes but it has been here and there.

“It could be that some will have better opportunities here, though. It would depend on how much movement we get over the next week.”