WORCESTER City are looking to bolster their midfield ahead of Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup extra-preliminary round tie at Walsall Wood (3pm).

Romulus consigned City to a second defeat in three days with a 2-1 victory at the Castle Vale Stadium on Monday night.

Manager John Snape refused to blame his youngsters for the Midland League Premier Division loss and stressed the importance of staying patient with them this season.

But he felt their “naivety” shone through once again and said he was keen to resolve that issue with a new signing in the coming days.

“I am hoping to bring somebody in this week,” Snape said.

“We have put some (seven-day) notices in but the negotiations have got to go on.

“I thought I had one last week and it didn’t come to fruition but we will keep on the trail as we want to get the right one in.

“We don’t want someone in short-term, we want someone who wants to be here and progress with us for the next couple of years.

“That’s key for our development.”

The experienced Mat Birley was part of a three-man midfield against Romulus that featured teenagers Riley Keasey and Liam Lockett while 19-year-old Ben Clarke came off the bench in the second period.

“We were very sporadic with our passing in the second half but when we did pass the ball we hurt them,” Snape said.

“Romulus stuck to their game plan and physically we were overawed at times so we will be looking to get a bit more strength in there, especially down the middle.

“We will see what we can afford.

“But I am not blaming the kids for Monday night. They are dynamic and want to play in the right areas but maybe that naivety came through.

“We have got to be patient with them and we are not giving up on the youngsters as there are some class acts in there.

“I hope this is a good stepping stone for them to know where they have got to be in a game where you are going away from home and you know it is going to be a battle.”