BRISTOL-based defender Liam Harding remains on Evesham United boss Carl Abbott’s wishlist despite distance being a factor in not pursuing deals for three brothers from the same city.

Abbott confirmed he had not attempted to keep goalscoring Bristolians Kane, Kye and Cory Simpson, the provider of 30 of United’s 66 league goals last season.

READ MORE | Distance stopped Abbott talking to Simpson brothers

Top-scorer Kane seems set to join National South newcomers Weymouth with winger Cory lining up a move to Evesham's league rivals Larkhall Athletic.

The pick of the trio’s achievements in red and white was notching six between them in a 7-1 demolition of Highworth Town on their own patch on New Year’s Day.

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Abbott said he had been “looking more local" to "keep it manageable” and that he did not “want to sacrifice the training and team ethos we want to build”.

Having expressed a desire to retain Harding once he gets over surgery to a long-standing knee problem, there was another flurry of social media criticism pointing out the defender’s location.

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Abbott said: “To be honest I hadn’t spoken to Liam about where he lives.

“If one player has that desire to do the travelling then I can live with that. When you have lads travelling that far en masse then you have the potential to run into more problems.

“I would love Liam to stay. He has taken the time to come down and I have spoken to him a lot. As yet he hasn’t agreed.”

Meanwhile, Abbott declared himself content with his summer business so far.

“We got our initial planning in quite early and are looking forward to getting going," he added.

"Things change over pre-season, there might be a few boys in and a few out. That happens but I feel we got ourselves into a strong position a few weeks ago.”

One player that won't be involved is defender Shayne Anson who has returned to Cirencester Town.

"I had a chat with Shayne this week, he decided he wanted to give Cirencester a try with it being closer to home," said Abbott.

"We wish him all the best."