DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons says Worcester Warriors’ drive to recruit and retain players is “drawing to a close”.

With just over two months to go before the end of the campaign Solomons said he was “pretty happy” with how his squad was looking for next season.

Warriors were unable to convince wing Bryce Heem to stay while lock Pierce Phillips and prop Gareth Milasinovich have signed for Agen and Ulster respectively.

But 17 players from Solomons’ current crop have put pen to paper including Scotland fly-half Duncan Weir and England flanker Ted Hill.

Leicester Tigers second row Graham Kitchener, Connacht prop Conor Carey, Northland scrum-half Jono Kitto, Blues back Melani Nanai and Provence wing Ed Fidow have also decided to move to Sixways for the 2019-20 campaign.

“As far as retention and recruitment are concerned that’s something we’ve been working on for many months now.” Solomons said.

“That is drawing to a close as you would expect at this time of year.”

Warriors are two places and nine points clear of the drop zone but have yet to completely banish fears of relegation.

Solomons’ men travel to Kingston Park on Sunday (3pm) to face bottom club Newcastle Falcons in a crucial Gallagher Premiership clash.

“When you do your recruitment and retention you take everything into consideration the same as when you prepare for a game,” Solomons said.

“But we’re pretty far down the track and pretty happy with where we are.

“We are coming to the end of the season so everything will be sorted out.”

England centre Ben Te’o is among a number of players out of contract in the summer who have yet to land a new deal.

The 31-year-old has scored seven tries in 29 games since joining Warriors in 2016 but has reportedly attracted interest from several French clubs.

“It is the last year of Ben’s contract and in the fullness of time we will release as to what is happening with him,” Solomons said.

Asked when Te’o’s future would be resolved, Solomons added: “It’s difficult to say.

“But bearing in mind we’re already in March and the season ends in the middle of May I would say it’ll be (announced) relatively shortly.”

Solomons said he was happy with the depth of his squad and the number of talented young players coming through the academy.

“I got involved with the recruitment from January last year as Gary (Gold, former director of rugby) dealt with it before,” Solomons said.

“But we just got on with it and put together a pretty decent squad.

“We’ve had a fair amount of strength in depth and the biggest thing for me is bringing through our youngsters.

“I am really pleased with the recruitment as Ollie (Lawrence), Ted and young (Andrew) Kitchener are with us.

“We have still got Cleggy (Justin Clegg) to come back. We have not seen him this year because of a stress fracture to his back but he is looking enormous in training.”

SIGNED: Carey, Fidow, Kitchener, Kitto, Nanai.

RE-SIGNED: Bower, Butler, Cox, Heaney, Hill, Howe, Humphreys, Lawrence, Mama, Miller, Mudariki, Pennell, Shillcock, van Breda, van Velze, Williams, Weir.

FUTURES TO BE RESOLVED: Adams, Annett, Arr, Barry, Fa’osiliva, Kerrod, Kirwan, Olivier, Potgieter, Singleton, Te’o.

DEPARTING: Phillips, Milasinovich, Heem.