DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons says he has identified players he wants to sign ahead of next season as Worcester Warriors look to get to work in the transfer market.

January tends to be a busy month for Gallagher Premiership clubs with players whose contracts expire at the end of this season allowed to open talks with interested parties from this week onwards.

Last season saw Warriors secure 11 summer signings and Solomons says Warriors will be looking to step up their recruitment drive again this month.

“Once the window opens all the clubs will be (talking to players) and we will be no different,” Solomons said.

“There are players that we have identified.

“But obviously it is a closed period. We have complied with the ruling and will only start (talks) at the appropriate time.”

Asked what areas he was looking to strengthen, Solomons said: “I think we have got to evaluate everything before we go ahead.

“We have got to be fair to everybody and look at it carefully and then make our decisions from there.”

With several members of his own squad including Bryce Heem and Jack Singleton coming to the end of their deals Solomons said he was also keen to persuade more players to extend their stay.

So far Duncan Weir, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence, Matt Cox, Matti Williams, Gareth Milasinovich, Michael Heaney, Isaac Miller, Will Butler and Scott van Breda have put pen to paper on new contracts.

“You have to remember that there is also retention which requires work and we have done quite a bit as you have seen,” Solomons said.

“This is just the continuation of our recruitment process because there are new players to bring into the club and there is the retention of other players.

“It has been a busy time and that will continue to be the case.”

Warriors will also go into this year’s transfer window with the support of owners Jason Whittingham, Colin Goldring and Jed McCrory following a takeover of the club in October.

“The owners have been really good and I am really enjoying working with Colin, Jason and Jed,” Solomons said.

“I have got absolutely no complaints at all. They are very supportive which is very good.”

Asked whether the sale of the club had put Warriors in a better position to land their targets, Solomons said: “It is good and it is positive going forward.

“But having said that we were able to recruit effectively for this season.

“I have always found it to be a positive environment in that sense.

“I know the business was being sold and there are certain things that come with that which are natural.

“But I thought we recruited well for this season and I think it is great now that everything had been settled.

“I have got a really good relationship with the owners and enjoy working with them.”