DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons insists out-of-contract back rower Marco Mama is an “integral part” of his Worcester Warriors squad.

The former Bristol ace’s current deal expires this summer after penning a one-year extension in February last year.

Mama has overcome an injury-hit 2017-18 campaign to re-establish himself as a regular in the Gallagher Premiership side and strengthen his status as a fans’ favourite at Sixways.

Fourteen members of Warriors’ existing squad have signed new deals and Solomons said he was keen to complete the retention process “as soon as possible”.

Although refusing to be drawn into questions over Mama’s future, Solomons stressed the importance of the 27-year-old, who has made 42 Warriors appearances in three-and-a-half seasons, to his side.

“Marco is an integral part of the Warriors so, like everything else, in due course the announcements will be made,” Solomons said.

“As I have said before we have got to go through the protocol.

“Mama, as you well know yourself, has been in the starting 15 almost all season. When he has been available he has played.”

Asked whether he had held contract talks with Mama, Solomons said: “I understand why you are being persistent (with your questioning).

“But as and when we have got an announcement we will do it.”

Will Butler, Matt Cox, Michael Heaney, Ted Hill, Perry Humphreys, Ollie Lawrence, Isaac Miller, Farai Mudariki, Chris Pennell, Jamie Shillcock, Scott van Breda, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Duncan Weir and Matti Williams have all agreed new contracts in the past two months.

But there are still a number of players whose futures remain up in the air including Bryce Heem, Jack Singleton, Ben Te’o and Josh Adams.

“There is a little bit of business still to do and we are obviously working hard at that,” Solomons said.

“Hopefully we will make announcements in the near future.”

Asked when he hoped to finish re-signing players, Solomons replied: “As soon as possible is the answer to that.

“You can see from all the announcements that have been made that we are not far off.

“We are starting to get closer.”

Solomons said he was particularly pleased by the amount of home-grown players that would remain at Warriors with academy aces Butler, Lawrence and Hill landing their first senior contracts.

“I think we have done a pretty fair job so far,” Solomons said.

“The biggest thing for me is the young guys.

“Joe Morris, Kai Owen, Beck Cutting, Justin Clegg, Kitch (Andrew Kitchener), Scotty (James Scott), Ted, Doddsy (Tom Dodd), Will, Nick David and Ollie.

“That’s a lot of guys that are here and that’s important to me.

“Also if you look at guys like Shilly (Shillcock) and Pezza (Humphreys) they are pretty young guys as well. They are key.

“Our home-grown academy boys are the core and future of this club.”

FUTURES TO BE RESOLVED

The Worcester News understands the following players’ contracts are due for renewal: Josh Adams, Niall Annett, Jonny Arr, Darren Barry, Ryan Bower, Alafoti Fa’osiliva, Bryce Heem, Tom Howe, Simon Kerrod, Carl Kirwan, Marco Mama, Gareth Milasinovich, Wynand Olivier, Pierce Phillips, Dewald Potgieter, Jack Singleton, Ben Te’o, Ethan Waller.