WORCESTER City player-manager Andy Preece is aiming to shoot down a good friend when his team takes on Hucknall Town.

Preece comes face-to-face with former Bury team-mate Dean Barrick, who is now Town's player-boss, when the two sides collide at St George's Lane in Nationwide North on Easter Monday (3pm).

The veteran duo both signed for the Shakers in the same week during the summer of 1998 and Preece went on to manage the Gigg Lane club.

Despite Worcester's terrific run of form, which has seen the club scoop 18 from a possible 21 points, the 37-year-old striker admits it will be tough overcoming a Hucknall side that is also brimming with confidence.

Barrick's men are in the last four of the FA Trophy after sensationally dumping out Hereford United at the competition's quarter-final stage.

They make their bid for the Villa Park final when travelling to Bishop's Stortford next Saturday for the first leg of the Trophy semi-final.

The Nottinghamshire side are also capable of reaching the Nationwide North play-offs, trailing fifth-placed Kettering by 12 points but with five matches in hand before today's games.

"Hucknall will be difficult to break down. It will be another test for us," said Preece. "They play good football and I'm good friends with Dean Barrick.

"They have done really well in the FA Trophy. Beating Hereford was brilliant for them and that's no mean feat.

"Hucknall may have an eye on their FA Trophy game. But saying that, they have got a lot of games in hand and they are looking to make the play-offs."

Preece may consider starting up front for the first time since the 2-1 home defeat to Gainsborough, while Tom Warmer and John Snape will be itching for a midfield spot after warming the bench in City's previous three games.

Defender Shabir Khan is still unavailable with a groin strain.

Worcester's 2-1 win at Moor Green last Tuesday maintained the club's slim chanes of a play-off place. However, Preece believes their hopes of a top-five place could end with a single defeat during their end of season run-in.

He added: "We have got to look at winning every game and that's the only way we are going to make the play-offs."