WHILE Jai Stanley goes under the knife tomorrow Worcester City will endeavour to put visiting Welling United to the sword and clock up their first league double of the season.

Victory will be all the more sweet for John Barton and Co as they commence on a string of games without their record signing and potentially star player.

Short of discovering a voodoo doll in the stands behind the dugout, pierced with dozens of needles, there's little to indicate a curse at St George's Lane but it doesn't feel like that to City's assistant manager Mick Tuohy.

"We do seem to be cursed," admitted Tuohy. "From our point of view to see your record signing go down after one game and 10 minutes and then need a knee operation is very sad.

"It's sad for him and not too good for us either but we've just got to get on with it. There's little point in feeling sorry for ourselves.

"It just seems to happen to us more than other clubs which is a shame but I've sensed a resurgence among a number of players in training."

Darren Middleton, one of a number of options to replace Stanley in midfield, scored the only goal at Park View Road to decide August's clash with probably the least spectacular goal he will ever score -- tapping home from two yards after the goalkeeper's clearance had cannoned into his side.

Tuohy would settle for a similar scoreline in tomorrow's Dr Martens Premier Division clash and a win, which would give City three league victories on the trot.

"Darren's goal came from working hard and closing down though if I recall we hung on a bit in the end at Welling in the second half and were a bit fortunate but we've got a good record there," added Tuohy.

"We're hoping to do the double and if we do it takes us nicely into the Christmas period and extends our little undefeated run.

"We shouldn't have lost at Marine in the Trophy which would have extended the run further but that's done and dusted and we can't turn the clock back.

"The lads, as we've said before, are a decent bunch of lads but we've underachieved in some areas which has been evident.

"The players are clear what is expected of them and ultimately if they don't deliver in games then sadly we will people that can."

Welling, managed by former Manchester United and England defender Paul Parker, will pose a threat through their strike duo of Phil Collins and Paul Booth, with the latter denied by an inspired Danny McDonnell when the two sides met in the summer.

The suspended McDonnell is replaced in goal by former Evesham and Bromsgrove 'keeper Chris Taylor, who will be aiming to emulate City's number one by keeping a clean-sheet.

FORMCAST: City to nick it 1-0.