MATT Breeze and Greg Mills have become the latest players to commit their futures to Worcester City as the momentum builds towards the new season.

The pair both put pen to paper on deals at St George’s Lane and featured in Friday’s entertaining 3-2 friendly defeat against Shrewsbury Town.

Midfielder Breeze has been involved with the squad throughout pre-season and has agreed terms following his release from Championship side Peterborough United.

The 19-year-old from Alfrick is no stranger to Blue Square Bet North having spent time on loan at Histon last season.

Speedy winger Mills, who joined City from Telford United in January until the end of last season, returned last month and played in the 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.

Mills, 21, and Breeze bolster a midfield that already includes Tom Thorley and Charlie Reece, with the quartet all starting the match against the League One Shrews.

Manager Carl Heeley, who has moved to strengthen that department following the departure of influential captain Kevin O’Connor, also has Jay Denny, Matt Birley and Danny Edwards to call on.

However, it has been revealed that American-born Denny will miss the first three games of the new campaign after getting sent off while with Hednesford Town last term.

That means there is every chance the team that began against Shrewsbury on Friday will be the 11 that line-up on Saturday, August 18.

If that comes to pass, the signs were certainly promising against Graham Turner’s side.

City more than matched Shrewsbury for long periods and the visitors' 72nd-minute winner from Terry Gonnell came against the run of play.

In the first-half, Gonnell had put his side ahead, but well-taken penalties from Danny Glover and Thorley gave City the advantage before Mark Wright equalised.

Centre-half Stuart Whitehead also became the latest player to wear the captain's armband.

City: Thompson, Weir, Deeney (Khan 77), Thorley, Whitehead, Elvins (Ayres 77), Reece, Breeze, Symons, Glover, Mills (Edwards 70). Subs not used: Denny, Smith, Polan, Groves.

Attendance: 523.