CARL Heeley has moved to ease the pressure on prolific goalscorer Mark Owen on his return to league action after serious injury.

The Worcester City captain said it was unrealistic to expect the striker to score 25 plus goals after such a lengthy spell out of the game.

Owen made a superb start to last season's campaign with 17 goals, including three hat-tricks, before he broke his ankle in an FA Cup clash at St Blazey.

However the 24-year-old has made a successful comeback to full fitness, and scored twice during pre season games.

"It's great to have Mark back but I would just like to say that people have to be realistic in what they are expecting from him," said Heeley.

"With the injury he has had, don't expect him to score 25,30 goals. He's always going to get goals but at this stage I think that is an unrealistic target."

While Owen missed eight months of the season, Heeley was ever present for the second year in a row.

Even when he limped off the pitch with both a calf and ankle strain at Hinckley United the indomitable def-ender returned for the next game.

The secret of his long run has been the ability to play with knocks and to listen to the advice of physio Archie Richards.

"As you get older you learn to play with knocks and to be fair I also have to give a lot of credit to Archie," said Heeley.

"He tells you the right things to do to maximise recovery and the players that follow his advice always have a better chance."

At nearly 33 Heeley could be forgiven for thinking about life after football but the thought of quitting has never entered his head. "I've never given a thought to finishing," he said. "I just want to play every game, whether it happens or not, I'll try to be available."