Worcester City set to hand Lee Ayres deal

Heeley is beginning his second full season in charge at St George's Lane

Worcester City manager Carl Heeley says he is close to finalising a deal with former Kidderminster Harriers defender Lee Ayres this week.

The 28-year-old former Tamworth, Burton and Forest Green player impressed Heeley during his two pre-season games.

Heeley told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "He wanted to have a look at the club and we wanted to have a look at him.

"He's looked very composed in the two games and hopefully Lee will be on board in the next day or so."

Heeley was pleased with his side's showing in the 7-0 pre-season win at Pershore Town where he felt striker Mike Symons showed up well.

"He's a big, strong lad who works the channels well and I think there are more goals in him," he said.

"He didn't have the best of returns last season but he has shown tonight just what a handful he is.

"He demonstrated the benefits of getting himself in the six-yard box as he has got himself a great goal."

Heeley was not reading anything into the scoreline in the Pershore game as he stressed it is all about players getting game time.

But he said the opposition will start to become tougher as they build towards the start of the Blue Square Bet North campaign.

"We'll play varying levels of opposition so we'll take a lot from all of the games, but at the moment it is primarily the fitness side," he said.

"After the first three or four games are out of the way we'll start working on the more technical side.

"It's all planned to make sure we peak for when the season opens on 13 August."

City have added another game into their pre-season schedule in which they will travel to Northern Premier League club Mickleover Sports on Thursday, 27 July.