MANAGER John Snape reckons a bloody-minded nature can ensure Joel Caines is a good fit for Worcester City.

The flexible full-back has agreed terms to switch from Stourport Swifts where he featured 41 times last season and contributed to a run to the last 16 of the FA Vase.

Having spent some of his formative years at Walsall, Caines got his break in non-league football with Redditch United.

He went on to play closer to home for Lye Town, making 20 appearances for the Black Country outfit before 38 matches for AFC Wulfrunians in 2016-17 prior to his Stourport stint.

“His career started at Redditch and he has since played a lot of football at our level so understands the division and what is required,” said Snape.

“At Stourport Swifts last season he found himself playing more regularly and that no doubt benefited him because he caught the eye.

“His hunger and desire to play for us is one of the key reasons behind bringing him in, we are really impressed by his attitude.

“He has pace and a natural athleticism. There is a drive and focus about Joel, he knows what he wants to do and feels like he can progress with us while helping the club to kick on.

“In every one-on-one one battle, you can see he never wants to lose or accepts losing.

“For me, someone who has that determination in them as well as wanting to play in the opposition’s half is a good fit for how we want to play and I am very hopeful Joel can turn out to be an excellent signing.”

With minor injuries for Jamie Smith and Tyler Weir leaving twice last season, City had to shuffle their pack with the likes of George Forsyth and Alexandru Albert required to plug the gaps.

“I would not go so far as to say full-back was a problem position for us because as George Forsyth proved, good players can play anywhere,” Snape added.

“The availability of Joel certainly makes things a lot easier, though.

“He can play left-back, right-back or as a wing-back on either side which is great. It is the kind of flexibility we look for from many of our players.”

The arrival means City have a dozen players committed for next season.

Goalkeeper Matt Gwynne, defenders Jamie Smith and Jordan Stoddart, midfielders Nathan Hayward and Mat Birley and frontrunners James Baldwin, Dave Reynolds and Nick Turton in staying put.

Caines is set to be brought in alongside goalkeeper Lewis Gwilliams from Alvechurch, former-Bromsgrove Sporting midfielder Robbie Bunn and ex-City youth prospect Joe Bates, a striker who played at Bishop’s Cleeve last season.