WORCESTER City face a potential defensive crisis after losing Carl Heeley and Jon Holloway to injury during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Nuneaton Borough.

Manager John Barton will learn the full extent of their injuries at training tonight.

Both had to be substituted with Heeley's looking the more serious of the two as he hobbled off clutching his thigh but with little defensive cover Barton will be hoping neither are long-term casualties.

City's captain suffered the injury after stubbing his foot while trying to kick a ball in the 23rd minute and was replaced by Barry Woolley, who made his first appearance since cracking two ribs five weeks ago.

Holloway limped off midway through the second half following treatment on a groin strain that has troubled him in pre-season.

"We will find out the exact nature of the injuries tonight but it's fingers crossed that neither are too serious though it must have been quite bad for Carl to come off," said Barton.

City's boss will be hoping the duo can make a swift recovery and with no match next weekend the pair will have an extra week to recover.

Barton has seen Dean Smith, Dan Jones, Mitch Counsell and Stewart Hadley depart since the start of the season, while David Holmes has gone to Halesowen Town on loan.

Whether Barton will be given licence to strengthen his squad remains to be seen but he admits they need a change of luck following the narrow defeat at Manor Park -- their fifth in six matches.

"We desperately need a break," said Barton. "Their first goal came from a mis-directed header which flew straight to the other guy and the winning goal came from a mistake.

"The performance was a match-winning performance in everything but the result.

"I'm gutted. We've put in back-to-back performances against Nuneaton but got nothing from either. It's no consolation to hear that we've been the best team they've played.

"We must keep plugging away. We've got to be strong. This game kicks you in the teeth and when you think you deserve something from the game you don't get it but perhaps we won't play so well and get a result against Weymouth."