EVESHAM United defender Liam Harding has rejected a move to Swindon Supermarine as he nears the end of his year-long recovery from injury.

Harding, who was voted manager's, players' and supporters' player of the year in 2016-17, missed the whole of last season having torn or ruptured three ligaments in his knee.

The Jubilee Stadium favourite even had interest from Hereford last summer before manager Peter Beadle had been informed of his long-term injury.

Supermarine, winners of the Southern League West play-offs having conquered Evesham in a penalty shoot-out in May, has already announced the acquisition of Adam Mann, United's top scorer last season.

But the Wiltshire club's attempt to complete a double swoop has hit the buffers, much to the delight of Robins boss Paul Collicutt.

“Swindon Supermarine had given him an offer and I am glad to say he has declined and will be staying,” said Collicutt.

“This approach hasn’t helped but now we have an agreement, it is like a new signing for us.

“When he got injured he was playing some of the best football of his career. I read his surgeon had said it was one of the worst injuries of that nature he has ever seen so we will build him up during pre-season.

“You always worry when someone has been out for so long but provided we get Liam back to the standard he was at, we will have a very good player on our hands."

Mann is one of three senior stars to exit this summer with linchpin Mat Liddiard snapped up by Evesham's tenants Gloucester City, while Lewis Binns has moved on to Cinderford Town.

Those losses have been mitigated by six new signings, including the capture of North Leigh hotshot George Seacole, former Hereford centre-half Nathan Summers and experienced defender Shayne Anson.

And Collicutt hopes to follow up with more good news on last season's crop.

“We are being positive and hope to meet up with the players over the weekend,” he added.

“If I can keep together most of the rest of the squad I will be happy. I am still trying to bring on board one or two new signings before the start of the season as well."