City squad feel the heat

As our pictures show, the players have returned from their summer break and are being put through their paces by manager Carl Heeley and his coaching staff.

With just over a week to go before the first friendly at Stratford Town, things are hotting up as Heeley strives to assemble his squad for the Blue Square Bet North campaign.

Players already signed for next season — including striker Mark Danks and midfielder Kevin O’Connor — were joined by several trialists hoping to win a deal with the St George’s Lane club.

Among them were Tim Sandercombe and Daniel Platt, two goalkeepers battling to prove they have what it takes to be City’s number one.

The position remains vacant following the departure of Jake Meredith and Heeley is expected to run the rule over both in the coming weeks.

Sandercombe, 21, has experience at City’s level having spent the 2008/09 season with Stafford Rangers before the six-foot five inch keeper was snapped up by Conference outfit Mansfield Town.

Platt, 19, was on the books of League Two Crewe Alexandra but was not offered a professional contract.

With money tight at City, it is no surprise to see youngsters getting their chance and Heeley has opted to utilise talent from the club’s reformed acadmey link with Worcester College of Technology.

Winger Kyonn Evans and central midfielder Brad Birch, both under the tutelage of former City striker Mark Owen at the Deansway campus, have been offered opportunities.

Former academy striker Dan Polan, on the fringes of the first team squad in 2009 before a spell with Stourport Swifts, also trained along with Worcester-based midfielder Calvin Dinsley, last with Cambridge United’s youth team. Striker Marc McGregor and midfielder George Clegg are also on trial.

Meanwhile, former City star Sam Wedgbury has signed a one-year deal with Macclesfield after leaving Sheffield United.