WORCESTER City will not frantically chase signatures before tonight's 5pm registration deadline for Midland Football League clubs.

Manager John Snape hopes to draft in a pair of first-year professionals from Cheltenham Town, a midfielder and left-sided player, but accepted FA rules would thwart his bid to bring in a more established name.

READ MORE | Worcester City held talks over moving to Sixways - how the proposed deal would have worked

To sign non-contract players clubs must serve their counterparts with a notice of approach seven days before talking terms and cannot return to the same club for another player within 28 days.

Snape declined to reveal the identity of the player or club involved but said that stipulation had prevented City from making a move before the deadline.

"I tried to bring in another forward but due to us making an approach to the same club within the past 28 days it could not happen," said Snape before throwing down the gauntlet to his existing squad.

"It has been the same for the past month, we are building for the future and assessing what we have between now and the end of the season.

"Potential is great but in the next seven games the target is maximum points and a piece of silverware. In that time we will see who is good enough to take the club forward next season.

"After the topsy-turvy season we have had it is now about getting the right mentality and the right personnel in place. What happens over the next few weeks will be important when deciding who to invite back to pre-season.

"It is just about winning games now and we need to be at a consistent level week after week to obtain results.

"Looking at the top sides like Ilkeston and Walsall Wood, even they have lost three or four more games than they should have and that shows consistency will be what gets us out of this league.

"I don't know any manager anywhere who thinks their side does not need strengthening. There are targets we have highlighted for next season and we are looking to secure them but the games we have left will dictate futures."

READ MORE | City's community owneship plans ratified

Saturday sees City host fifth-placed Shepshed Dynamo at the Victoria Ground (3pm) with the availability of several players up in the air.

Goalkeeper Sam Gilder will be assessed after being ill this week with defender Aaron Roberts, who debuted in the 3-2 win at AFC Wulfrunians last weekend, suffering with a back problem. Josh Willis is undergoing treatment on a knee complaint.

James Lemon, Joe Bates, Joel Caines and Kyonn Evans will take part as City's reserves travel to Uttoxeter Town in Midland Football League Reserve Division tonight (7.45) with decisions to be made on their fitness afterwards.

James Baldwin, who has lined up for Pershore Town recently, is set to train with City tonight and may come into contention.