JOINT-boss John Snape admits he is “desperate” to keep Brad Birch at Worcester City after receiving an approach from promotion rivals and landlords Bromsgrove Sporting.

Sporting boss Paul Smith moved for City’s club captain in the wake of Liam Spink’s leg break and dislocated ankle in the midweek Birmingham Senior Cup tie against Nuneaton Town.

Your Worcester News understands Birch is the subject of interest from two other clubs in the region but that Bromsgrove is the only one to make their move so far.

And Snape revealed he had waived the standard seven-day notice period, allowing the Worcester-born midfielder to talk to Bromsgrove early in the hope of quickly quashing talk of a switch from one Victoria Ground outfit to another.

“Liam Spink picked up a nasty injury in the week,” said Snape.

“I spoke to Paul Smith when the interest came about and he has done everything properly as far as I am concerned.

“I want Brad to stay and have made that quite clear to him but if he feels the need to speak to Bromsgrove then that will be down to him.

“Brad’s frustration over his red cards and also getting hung drawn and quartered by some people has left a sour taste in his mouth but to be fair to him, he came back in having served his punishment and did very well.

“He has been fantastic during a very tough time and will not be getting flogged at the cathedral gates. I just want him to get on now.

“I will speak to Brad in the early part of the week, I want him to enjoy his Saturday night and his performance first because he did well on his comeback.

“Brad can speak to them now as far as I am concerned. I just want to get it out of the way and done, he can make his own decision but I am desperate to keep him.”

Meanwhile, Snape insisted neither the suspensions nor the interest from Bromsgrove had influenced the decision to let Nathan Hayward retain the armband in today's 4-1 success over Stourport Swifts.

“Brad is back and is still club skipper,” said Snape. “He was the heartbeat of the side and had a fantastic game.

“I was over the moon for him. He did not get involved, led by example and complemented Nathan very well.

“It is a partnership that is really coming together. We still have a bit of work to do with them in terms of stopping the ball into the front two but Brad deserved a goal.

“That would have capped a great performance from them, individually and as a pair.”