In a typically candid "Meet the Board" session in Sheringham, the Francis affair was one of a number of revelations, including the fact that Reading's Steve Sidwell was once a target, Calum Davenport would have cost £3million, and Paul McVeigh is playing for his contract.
“I spent every day for five weeks telling Damien Francis that he was under contract and couldn't go," said Worthington of the midfielder's switch back to the Premiership. “He turned up for the first two weeks on pre-season and trained well. Then he became disruptive, walked off when he wanted to and became a distraction to the group.”
He also gave McVeigh another challenge to produce his recent form on a more consistent basis.
“He doesn't do it often enough," said Worthington." I would probably do it consistently at the moment if my contract was coming to an end. I'd want a new contract - here or somewhere else.”
It also came to light that the club's injury tally for this term stands at 85, a figure almost four times the 22 injuries at this stage in the title winning campaign of two seasons ago.