WORCESTER City player-manager Andy Preece is to step up his search for a another versatile midfielder as moves to sign ex-Bury captain Martyn Forrest broke down.

Forrest had been playing for UniBond Premier Division side Radcliffe Borough and an announcement on the Greater Manchester club's official website claimed the midfielder had joined City.

However, Preece said last night that Forrest is not heading to St George's Lane after the 26-year-old had secured a new job that would have made commuting to Worcester difficult.

Preece did clinch the signing of Forrest's former Shakers team-mate George Clegg earlier this week and City's boss said he does need new blood in the side.

"I was looking to bring Martyn here. But he's recently gone for a new job and he's got it, so it would have made it extremely difficult for him to play for us," said Preece.

"Fozzy is the sort of player who gets stuck in. He would have given us more options in midfield but he could play right-back, left-back, left wing, everywhere. He's similar to Cleggy. Both are utility players who can play in a number of positions.

"I'll keep looking around but there's lads in the squad that can do a job for the team and I've no problem with that. But we do need some fresh faces. Martyn Forrest was a player that I knew and I knew he could make a difference. But that is gone now."

Preece added that City's left-back spot was another problem position, made worse with the injuries to Les Hines and Shabir Khan.

He said: "In the last two games, two of the five goals we've conceded have come from that left-hand side. It's a difficult one having the two lads out injured, plus Carl Heeley as well."