WORCESTER City's footballers headed for the hills last night as they began their punishing pre-season schedule.

Manager John Barton put his new-look squad through their paces on the Malvern Hills.

His three summer signings Jon Holloway, Allan Davies and Matt Gardiner met their team-mates for the first time, and Barton was pleased with the first night's work.

He said: "We have a few players away on holiday but it was nice to get back, introduce the new faces and see a very enthusiastic approach to the first session."

City will train three times a week in the early stages and are due on the hills again tomorrow, with fitness being the main priority. Football-based training will start in a couple of weeks.

Having missed out on Clevedon Town striker Paul Milsom, who joined Bath City instead, Barton is now tracking other transfer targets.

"We have signed three out of the four players we targeted, and there are other options," said Barton.