MORE players are expected to leave Worcester Warriors this summer with boss Alan Solomons insisting they have “known where they stand for some time”.

Warriors’ director of rugby has been busy piecing his side together ahead of the 2018-19 campaign and said he was “very positive” about his recruitment drive.

But Solomons admitted members of his current squad would also be departing at the end of this season.

So far lock Will Spencer and back rower David Denton have agreed to join Leicester Tigers while centre Jackson Willison and forward Huw Taylor have signed for Bath and Dragons respectively.

But with Warriors announcing eight new recruits for next season further players are set to follow the quartet through the exit door.

The Worcester News understands centre Max Stelling and full-back Ben Howard are among those whose deals are due to expire.

The duo played a starring role in Warriors’ Championship-winning season in 2014-15 but have made just 10 first-team appearances between them this term.

The contracts of prop Biyi Alo, injured fly-half Tom Heathcote, scrum-half Michael Dowsett and hooker Matti Williams are also believed to be up for renewal along with captain Donncha O’Callaghan who is expected to make a decision on his future in May.

“I think everybody has known where they stand for some time in the existing squad,” Solomons said.

“There will be (players leaving) but that’s professional sport.

“There are going to be guys that will be moving on but everyone is contributing positively to the squad.”

Sam Lewis, Ryan Mills, Niall Annett, Dean Hammond, Luke Baldwin, Joe Taufete’e, Wynand Olivier, Marco Mama, Alafoti Fa’osiliva and Gareth Milasinovich have all penned new contracts.

Warriors have also signed Callum Black (Ulster), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Cornell du Preez (Edinburgh), Michael Heeney (Doncaster Knights), Isaac Miller (London Scottish), Scott van Breda (Jersey Reds), Jono Lance (Queensland Reds) and Francois Venter (Cheetahs).

Asked whether there were more player announcements to come from the club, Solomons said: “We have got to wrap it up.

“As I have said all along as soon as we have got something to report we will do it and take it through the usual channels.

“But I am very positive with where we are in terms of our recruitment. If you look at the players that have been announced I think that’s a good squad with good strength in depth.”

Among the summer signings, Venter, Beck, van Breda and Lance can all play in the centres.

“I think we are quite strong there,” Solomons added.

“But if you look at us at the moment we have got Ryan Mills and Wynand Oliiver out so centre and loose forward are the two most attritional positions on the field.”

Solomons said he was also looking forward to working with Cheetahs captain Venter when he arrives at Warriors.

The 26-year-old has won seven caps for South Africa.

“Francois is a really good player with good leadership qualities,” Solomons said. “There is no one who has either coached him or played with him that isn’t absolutely positive about him. They say he’s an outstanding professional and a really good rugby player and leader.

“I have known him for a while as a player and have always been impressed with him.”