Ruddock faces a vital game at home to Newcastle on Friday

Worcester Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock is confident of signing players for next season, despite fears that they could yet be relegated.

Warriors are now just one point above bottom club Leeds. But Ruddock told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "They will be signing regardless of where we are.

"With five home games in the last eight and with a check on our discipline we can finish the season strongly."

The Warriors have been strongly linked to former England fly-half Andy Goode.

I think you will see before the end of the season a number of good players joining up Worcester Warriors Mike Ruddock

But Ruddock issued a 'no comment' on stories that former Leicester man Goode would move to Sixways from Brive, with a spell in the Super 14 in South Africa in between.

Having already announced the signing of Neil Best from Northampton and Adam Balding from Newcastle for next season, Ruddock will not reveal the names of his other targets.

"They might be in other teams in other countries and will be afraid the coach will drop them if I announce they are joining us," he said.

"If I am honest, most of my work is done there.

"We will have some announcements in the next few weeks. I think you will see before the end of the season a number of good players joining up.

"We know we have a good panel for next year and the fans will be excited by some of the players we are signing.

"We have to negotiate this year, and that is the realism of our situation."

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