MANAGER Richard Dryden is preparing for a summer clear-out at Worcester City.

With the current campaign coming to an end, Dryden has one eye on next season and his plans for the team.

The City boss looks set to off-load several players in order to balance the books and have a squad geared up for an assault on Blue Square South.

With four northern-based teams occupying the relegation places in the Blue Square Premier, Dryden is expecting Worcester to be switched to the southern section.

He said: "I think realistically we are going to end up going south so we have got to prepare for it.

"There will be a lot of people going for different reasons - location and financial. It's just the way it is. We have got to get a squad of 16 or 17 and go and compete. Hopefully we can keep one or two of our experienced players.

"Worcester City is a massive club but at the moment, financially, players are getting the wrong idea.

"When you talk to them they are expecting a big basic payment, signing-on fees and incentive bonuses but it can't happen at a lot of clubs."

However, one player being lined up to stay is Danny McDonnell. The goalkeeper is on his way back from shoulder surgery and Dryden is keen to retain his services.

The St George's Lane manager said: "He's been offered a new contract and hopefully he will accept. I am confident he will sign."

Mark Danks, who scored the penalty winner at Leigh RMI on Saturday, is also part of the manager's thinking but will sit out tomorrow night's trip to Workington (7.45) to protect his knee.

Dryden said: "It's important we try and rest Mark and get him fit for the start of next season. If he can prove his fitness he is part of our plans."

Danks will be joined on the sidelines by fellow striker Matt Dinsmore (groin), while defender Shabir Khan (knee) is a doubt.

Midfielder George Clegg returned as a substitute in the 1-0 victory at Leigh and could earn a place in the starting 11 at Borough Park.

Striker Craig Wilding was sent off when the sides met in Cumbria in September 2006 and tonight will be his final match of the season following his red card at Blyth.

Workington, who have won just one of their last seven matches, are City's penultimate opponents with a trip to Barrow to come on Saturday.

Dryden added: "It's just a case of seeing how many points we can get and then focusing on next season."