THE potential is “very high” for City to be playing back in Worcester next season with club chiefs also running the rule over groundshare alternatives.

City addressed supporters at the end of last month, presenting the options of a possible move to Sixways which involves takeover by Warriors owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham or renting a redeveloped Claines Lane under the current ownership model.

The Sixways option was openly scotched by Goldring in a recent interview with Worcester News but City bosses are trying to rekindle talks.

Claines Lane was supposed to be completed and able to host step six football – the level below City’s – by September but landowners Worcestershire FA have now asked Worcester City Council for a £750,000 loan to complete the project.

The extra work required to bring the ground up to standard to host City matches would have to be funded grants accessed by the club.

Top brass remain tight lipped on their preferred options but Worcester City Supporters’ Trust chairman and club director Dave Wood reckons it is possible to bring about a return to Worcester by the summer of 2020 under the right circumstances.

“In my opinion we have a two-year timescale because that is the survival of the football club so we have to work to that,” said Wood.

Colin Layland, vice-chairman of the club, added: “It is no good putting timescales on things, the most important thing is to get it right.

“Okay, we have to make decisions about where we are going to play and all the rest of it but it all has to be done in the right way.”

On whether it could happen in time for next season, Wood replied: “There is always that potential and I would regard that potential as very high but I could not clarify that because we haven’t had the deep discussions needed to work to that timeline.

“It would be an aim but as Colin quite rightly said, everything has to be done correctly. We are not cutting corners.

“We have to look at the feasibility of planning if it is Claines, I am sure the Warriors would have to get some legal things done if that were to be an option aside from the legal side of the club being sold or carrying on as a community-owned entity.

“To take a lease somewhere has legal aspects, this is a business and we have a responsibility to run it as such.”

Chairman Steve Goode revealed City would have to inform current landlords Bromsgrove Sporting whether they plan to stay for another season by the end of the month.

“I have also been out speaking to other local clubs to see what they could offer us as well, which is something we do every year," said Goode.

“Bromsgrove have been fantastic, they are very good to us and always have been. Costs come into it but it is not the only thing we consider.

“There are other options that might be a bit cheaper but we want to look after our supporters as well, there have to be certain things at grounds for our fanbase.

“I won’t go into detail but a lot of things get considered, most definitely thinking about our more elderly supporters and not just whether we can save £50 here or there.”

City play the first of three games in eight days at the Victoria Ground today (3pm), hosting Newark Flowserve in the Midland Football League Premier Division.