Ex-Harriers ace Baker to join up with City

The 23-year-old left-back, who spent two campaigns at Aggborough until 2010, is set to link up with the rest of the squad at Pershore High School after leaving Newport County.

He will be joined by ex-Bristol Rovers midfielder Charlie Reece, left-back Kevin Sandwith, who was with beaten Blue Square Bet North play-off finalists Gainsborough Trinity last term, and former Barrow midfielder Robin Hulbert.

Ex-Gloucester City striker Ben Hunt is also poised to be among the group bidding to earn deals at St George’s Lane for 2012-13.

Manager Carl Heeley said: “They are all of a very high calibre and I think that they will be quality additions and strengthen what we have already got.

“I think we are in a far stronger position than we were this time last year.”

Baker began his career at West Brom before joining Harriers on loan in August 2008, a deal he later made permanent.

He moved to Newport in the summer of 2010, starting 17 games in the Blue Square Bet Premier last term.

Reece, 22, who can play central midfield or on the right, spent five seasons at Rovers but was on the first-team periphery, eventually being loaned out to Gloucester, Solihull Moors and Tamworth.

Sandwith will be a familiar name to City fans after he set-up both of Gainsborough’s goals in the 2-2 draw against Worcester at Northolme in the penultimate match of last season.

The 34-year-old has a wealth of experience having played in the Football League for the likes of Lincoln City and Macclesfield Town, as well as in the Conference for Mansfield.

Midfielder Hulbert, 32, was part of the Barrow side that won the FA Trophy in 2010 but missed most of last season with a cruciate ligament injury. He is a free agent after making 65 appearances for the Holker Street side.

Hunt, 22, was with both Gloucester and Bishop’s Stortford last season and has previously been on the books at Bristol Rovers, Lewes and Dover.