Worcester Sport
Heeley keen to get back into action
2:00pm Friday 10th February 2012
WORCESTER City are champing at the bit to return to Blue Square Bet North action at Boston United tomorrow (3pm) following their enforced winter break.
Freezing temperatures thwarted City’s attempts to play last Saturday’s home league match against Gainsborough and Tuesday’s Worcestershire FA Senior Cup semi-final at Stourbridge.
It is the first time this season the weather has hit the calendar but there is no danger yet of the fixture backlog which followed the decimation last term.
City hope the York Street clash beats the elements this weekend but the game looks set to fall foul of a 3pm pitch inspection today.
Manager Carl Heeley said: “Initially, you enjoy the rest but, at the same time, you want to play football. We are itching to get back playing again.”
One positive has been the extra recovery time for key personnel within the squad.
Centre-backs Stuart Whitehead (hamstring), Jacob Rowe (leg) and Lee Ayres (shoulder) would have missed the Gainsborough match but the latter two may feature in Lincolnshire.
Left-back Ellis Deeney is back following a throat blister, while utility player Rob Elvins could return to the line-up for the first time in more than two months following shoulder ligament damage.
Forwards Simon Brown and Matt Birley were poised to play against Stourbridge on Tuesday but may have to be content with a place on the bench.
Matt Sargeant could keep his place in goal although James Dormand is improving after pulling a calf muscle against Colwyn Bay last month.
City look to extend their unbeaten run to three matches having drawn their last two against Workington and Histon, while Boston are keen to put Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat at Colwyn Bay behind them.
It could be the first meeting between the sides this season and Heeley is relishing the prospect.
“It’s one of the fixtures the players look for because they want to play against the big teams and Boston are one of those,” he added.
“They have seen a couple of players leave but have the core who were there last season. Boston are a big club and it’s a decent place to play so we are looking forward to it.”