ADAM Wilde's less than auspicious start to the season when he hurt his ankle hanging out the washing will hopefully not be an omen for City's remainder of the season.

There have been freak mishaps in the City camp before of course -- Ian Cottrill slipped on a bar of soap prior to the Chelmsford match two seasons ago, twisting his ankle and missing the game -- but Wilde's timing was particularly unfortunate ahead of the opening clash of the season.

His pace and flair will be a threat to most teams and he was sadly missed against Havant, particularly when play became compressed in midfield.

Wilde's absence was a reminder of just what a key figure he has become to Worcester.

But despite an ultimately unsatisfactory display by City against ten-man Havant, there were reasons for optimism at St George's Lane.

Firstly a less than fully fit Leon Kelly demonstrated his power and goal threat -- sufficient to have wrapped up the game before half-time.

Manager John Barton will have been purring at what he saw. Raw around the edges but with a refreshing direct approach to his play, Kelly provides a physical dimension and thrust that has been absent in the City side in recent seasons.

Even though City were not firing on all cylinders, Kelly still engineered three good chances in the first-half before finally hitting the net thanks to unselfish work from Mark Owen.

If Kelly gives added power up front, then Barry Woolley's towering presence at the back could also be important.

Woolley was strong in the air and one challenge late in the Havant game when he rose to deny Alec Masson at the back post, following a corner, illustrated his value to a City side that have had a tendency to be vulnerable at set pieces.

Playing alongside Woolley with his usual combination of composure on the ball and fiery competitiveness was Jon Holloway.

Saturday was classic Holloway -- a verbal lashing of Owen, several outbursts at the referee plus a bout of argy-bargy on the sidelines with the Havant bench mixed in with some great defensive play.

Only a bloodied and broken nose forced him off the pitch!

Overall, freak injuries notwithstanding, City's squad is shaping up nicely and if Wilde, Kelly and Woolley perform to their best then who knows what can be achieved.