NO-ONE will be more relieved to be on Worcester City's teamsheet today than record signing Jai Stanley.

The midfielder is expected to be on the substitutes' bench for the home Dr Martens Premier Division clash with Welling United.

Stanley has not played since sustaining a knee injury on his home debut in the Dr Martens Cup tie with Sutton Coldfield Town early last month.

However, the recovery process has gone well and he's now champing at the bit and can't wait to get back on the pit-ch again.

Stanley said: "It was an absolute nightmare for something like this to happen. I was gutted at the time but now I am approaching full fitness, I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

"Everything I have been told to do has gone really well and within the schedule that the specialist set me."

With City's improved form starting to make other clubs sit up and take notice, especially last week's 4-0 thumping of Nuneaton Borough, he believes they're still not out of the title race despite a 12-point deficit on leaders Weymouth.

City could go third if results go their way today, and Stanley added: "I still think it is there for us. Weymouth may be in the box seat but a lot of the teams chasing are starting to play each other.

"We have to play teams like Crawley at home and Weymouth away and if we can get through those fixtures unbeaten we will still be in with a chance."

Stanley, aged 25 is confident he can live up to the expectations which accompany his club record five-figure fee.

"I'm not worried about it," he added. "It is very flattering that people want to pay that sort of money for me, but at the end of the day I am a footballer and it is a good stage for me to play on. I am confident I can fit in and do well."

Meanwhile, City defender Jon Hollo-way is particularly relishing Tuesday's trip to his former club Bath City.

Holloway scored when City crushed the Romans 7-0 back in September, since when the Somerset side have slipped to the bottom of the table.

He said: "That should be a good game. I'm not sure what kind of reception I will get but it is a great opportunity to get another win under our belts.

"Having said that, they are scrapping for their lives so it will be two tough games for us over the next few days."