ASSISTANT boss Ashley Vincent says Worcester City are putting “contingency plans” in place if more players perform U-turns on deals ahead of next season.

City were dealt a double blow last month when midfielders Robbie Bunn and Nathan Hayward backed out of agreements with City.

Vincent is hopeful the rest of Worcester’s squad will stay put in preparation for the 2018-19 Midland League Premier Division campaign.

But Vincent insisted he and manager John Snape would be ready to respond to any further departures.

“The players are available (to play for City) right now but, as you have seen with a couple of players, without actually signing contracts that are long term you do still have people moving around,” Vincent said.

“We are not naïve enough to think that might not happen to us and we have got contingency plans if that happens.

“But at the moment we are very happy with the players we have got through the door and if we can get those out onto the pitch over the first few weeks and months of the season it will give us every chance of achieving our goal.”

Vincent, who played in the Football League for a number of clubs including Cheltenham Town, Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale, said he would not begrudge a player wanting to test themselves at a higher level.

“There will be people going back to their club this week who have said to their manager they want to stay,” continued the 33-year-old.

“But something might crop up somewhere else and they might want to take that for family reasons or to test themselves.

“I would never begrudge someone for doing that but what I will say is that at this level there is no bigger club than Worcester City.

“We would like to think that the players who have committed will be here for the opening day of the season.

“But as a manager or an assistant you have always got to be ready to react to players leaving or getting injured.

“You have got to be on your toes.

“That means getting out, watching games and knowing which players are available or might become available so if that situation does arise then you would be prepared.

“We don’t want to be left short in any area.

“We have got to get ourselves into a situation where we are reaching for success.”

After hanging up his boots last year Vincent is bidding to carve out a career in coaching and is looking forward to working alongside Snape.

“A lot of people don’t see what goes on when the football season finishes,” Vincent added.

“They just think everyone packs up but moving into a coaching role you get to see that it is the busiest time of year.

“I have been looking forward to getting out on the training field and being in and around the boys before getting stuck into those pre-season games.”

City open their friendlies at neighbours Malvern Town on Saturday (noon).