MANAGER Ashley Vincent insists there “will not be a huge turnover” of players this term as he bids to create a “settled” Worcester City squad.

City used 49 players in the Midland League Premier Division and cup competitions last season with five of those making just one outing in blue and white.

It is common for clubs to accumulate such a high number in the division with only three sides giving appearances to less than 40 players and bottom club Wolverhampton Sporting Community using 96.

But Vincent is determined to form a “core” group within his squad that will remain in place throughout the entire 2019-20 campaign.

“I think we have got 15 or 16 signed already and we are looking for another four or five,” Vincent said.

“By the time the first game of the season comes around we won’t be working with any more than 20 players and that includes Dan (Jezeph).

“From there we will be trying to form a settled squad that we can work with for the rest of the season, barring suspensions and people wanting to come and go for different reasons.”

On last season’s player turnover, Vincent added: “I am keen to not let that happen but there are other factors that go into that.

“Good players can be cherry-picked very quickly.

“I think I have got the right players through the door that actually want to play for Worcester and myself and want to see the season out.

“But I am also not going to leave myself short so I have got to be prepared for that but there will not be a huge turnover of players.

“I am happy with what I have got in and I know they are happy to be here.”

Five trialists featured in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Stratford Town and the quintet are expected to get another opportunity on Saturday when City face Rushall Olympic at Bromsgrove's Victoria Ground (3pm).

“I thought the boys that are on trial and played on Tuesday night put in great performances,” Vincent added.

“They showed how much they wanted to be here and wanted to be part of what we are doing.

“By the middle of next week we need to nail down who we will be moving forward with.

“At this level there is always going to be a little bit of room for people coming in and going out.

“But what I have maintained is that I do want a settled squad so a core of 15 or 16 players that are going to be here from start to finish.

“We want a set of players that we can work with, develop and that know each other.”