WORCESTER Warriors appear to be no closer to capturing a fly-half this summer after admitting to walking away from a couple of possible signings.

Director of rugby Gary Gold has spoken of his desire to snap up a world-class 10 ahead of the 2017-18 Aviva Premiership campaign.

South Africa international Morné Steyn has been heavily linked with a move to Sixways from Stade Français.

But chairman Bill Bolsover revealed Gold had not landed his target and Warriors had in fact turned down chances to bolster the fly-half department.

Bolsover, who holds the purse strings at Worcester, also stressed that if they did not find an “experienced” stand-off Gold had plenty of players to fill that position.

“We haven’t (signed a new fly-half) but we have looked at people and have walked away from one or two,” Bolsover said.

“You have got to remember we can look at (Tom) Heathcote, (Ryan) Mills, the new guy (Sam) Olver and (Jamie) Shillcock.

“We have actually got four 10s and I believe out of those you have got potential England players in there.”

Mills wore the number 10 jersey at the back-end of last term and impressed on many occasions, racking up 121 points in 29 appearances.

Despite preferring to play at inside centre the 25-year-old’s performances earned him an England call-up ahead of their clash against the Barbarians late last month.

Former Scotland international Heathcote, 25, will be keen to stake his claim after being badly affected by a couple of concussions last term.

Rising star Jamie Shillcock, 19, showed signs of promise at fly-half until he hurt his knee in January and underwent surgery.

The experienced Ryan Lamb was let go by Warriors and has since signed for French side La Rochelle.

But Gold has recruited 22-year-old Olver from Northampton Saints.

Bolsover said: “It would be nice if we could bring in another 10 who had experience for the next year-and-a-half and could actually shield those guys.

“But I think you’ll find those four we have got are going to be really useful next season.”

Warriors were previously linked with approaches for former Australia fly-half James O’Connor, which was dismissed by Gold, and ex-England ace Toby Flood who has rejoined Newcastle Falcons.

But Steyn, who has won 66 caps for South Africa, has emerged as being among Warriors’ top targets.

The 32-year-old would be familiar with fellow Springboks François Hougaard, Wynand Olivier and Dewald Potgieter.

Warriors, who finished second from bottom last season, have signed Olver, David Denton, Ethan Waller, Simon Kerrod, Pierce Phillips and Tom Howe for next term.

“I think they (the fans) will be eager for someone (a fly-half) to come in but we have brought in a lot of people,” Bolsover added.