THE broken leg suffered by Andy Ellis against Tamworth on Monday could not have come at a worse time for Worcester City.

For the experienced midfielder was just beginning to show the form that had made him such a valuable player for Woking in the Nationwide Conference.

His signing during the summer, aided by a move to the Midlands through work, was seen as one of the final pieces in Graham Allner's jigsaw as he tried to build a side to challenge for the Dr Martens League Premier Division title.

But his form suffered along with the rest of the team during their disastrous start to the season.

He admitted before his injury: "I have always played with two in the middle, and the way we were playing didn't really help my game. Now everything is coming together."

The change of formation since John Barton's arrival has helped the 33-year-old come into his own, and he had formed a potent central midfield combination with Ian Cottrill in recent weeks as City's form began to turn.

Now City will almost certainly have to do without him for the rest of the season -- but he is backing his team-mates to get the club out of the relegation mire.

"You look around the team and there are some good players there who still have a lot more to offer.

"A smaller squad does help -- it is nice to have a big squad but if you have a small one it is easier to motivate people. But we are not out of the woods yet."