WORCESTER City have targeted the addition of at least one more defender to their squad before the new season.

With the attacking element of the team largely in place following the acquisitions of Danny Carey-Bertram, Mike Symons, Luke Corbett, Danny Edwards and Simon Brown, the focus has switched to the back-line.

Centre-half Jacob Rowe has already been recruited to play alongside captain Ryan Clarke, Rob Elvins and Asa Charlton, while left-back Shabir Khan is expected to earn a new deal in pre-season following knee surgery.

One position for strengthening is at right-back, following the departure of Graham Ward to Nuneaton.

City, though, want as many options as they can afford and will look to run the rule over a few players once pre-season training gets under way on Saturday.

Assistant manager Matt Gardiner said: “We are looking for one or two more options defensively to complete the squad.”

Meanwhile, City are confident they will beat last campaign’s season ticket figure of 145.

The St George’s Lane club have already sold more than 120 for the next season and there are still six weeks to go until the big kick-off.

Friday sees the end of the early-bird discount period but vice-chairman Andrew Watson is pleased with the interest, something he puts down to the new signings.

“We have got over 120 now and if we are hoping to average 650 to 700 gates then that’s quite a percentage and, in the circumstances, it’s pretty good.

“It’s a reflection that, on paper, Carl Heeley looks to be putting together a good team for next season.”

Meanwhile, City will now start their pre-season against Birmingham City at St George’s Lane on Saturday, July 16 (3pm), instead of visiting Daventry.